150 million year old bird dragon discovered that resembles a mythical monster

(NLDO) - The remains of a half-bird, half-dinosaur monster have been excavated in Bavaria, Germany.

Described as looking like a hybrid monster from mythology, the creature discovered in the Mörnsheim Formation in Bavaria, Germany, has been identified as a member of the genus Archaeopteryx, meaning "ancestral bird" or "feathered bird".

Feathered Bird, a monster that is half dinosaur, half bird - Photo: Martin Kundrát

According to Dr. Christian Foth, a paleontologist from the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) and the University of Rostock (Germany), the specimen has provided a lot of insight into this intermediate animal between dinosaurs and birds.

Called "bird dragon" because although the appearance of Archaeopteryx is mostly bird-like, its anatomical features are still basically those of a Theropod dinosaur, according to Sci-News.

The specimen discovered in Germany includes the right forelimb and shoulder as well as fragments of the left forelimb and both hind limbs of the ancient bird-dweller.

Karlsruhe specimen - Photo: Fossil Record

Informally called the Karlsruhe specimen, the new fossil dates back about 149 million years and is the 12th specimen representing the genus Archaeopteryx in Germany, according to research published in the scientific journal Fossil Record by Dr. Foth as lead author.

“Archaeopteryx plays an important role in the debate about evolution in general and the origin of birds in particular,” said Dr. Foth.

Morphological variations—for example, tooth and limb proportions—within this genus suggest that Archaeopteryx underwent evolutionary changes and may have split into different species during its time on Earth.

So the new specimen with its relatively intact limbs could help scientists find more important evolutionary clues.

Archaeopteryx is considered the sole Jurassic representative of the Paraves clade of theropod dinosaur lineage. This clade includes birds and their closest relatives, the Dromaeosaurids and Troodontids.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/phat-hien-dieu-long-150-trieu-tuoi-giong-quai-vat-than-thoai-196250217102535635.htm