Dino-Bird Connection

Question 1

bird feather anatomy

Answer 1

quill (calamus)

shaft

vanes with barbs

barbules

Question 2

characteristics of modern birds (5)

Answer 2

large brain case

hollow bones

thin, pneumatic limb bones with small ducts in them that let air thru while breathing (cooling and lighter)

keeled sternum with elongated coracoids

Question 3

what parts of the skeleton are fused in modern birds?

Answer 3

furcula

skull

sacrum/pelvis/tail (pygostyle)

hind limbs (tarsometatarsals)

forelimbs (carpometacarpals)

Question 4

What are the feet of modern birds like?

Answer 4

3 functioning digits with one opposing claw

fused tarsals and metatarsals

short tapering tibia (bottom)

Question 5

when did archaeopteryx exist?

Answer 5

~150Ma (Late Jurassic)

Southern Germany

Question 6

solnhofen limestone

Answer 6

found in hypersaline lagoon

animals that died washed up here and was preserved in this limestone

encased in fine crystal, preserved in fine detail

Question 7

how many archaeopteryx fossils found?

Answer 7

12 in the world

Question 8

what does archaeopteryx have in common with dinos? (5)

Answer 8

small teeth

stiff tail

separated digits
hand - 3 clawed digits with a longer 2nd
feet - 3 digits with offset claw

bowed ulna

Question 9

how are the feet of emus the same as dinos?

Answer 9

3 toed feet covered in scales

Question 10

how is ganus similar to modern birds?

Answer 10

well developed sternum (large pecs for extended flight)

coracoids brace sternum

short bony tail

fused wrist digits (carpometacarpus)

Question 11

microraptor

Answer 11

a dromaeosaur in the early cretaceous

four winged dino, GLIDING