Unearthing a Surprising Link in Bird Evolution: The Bizarre Bird-like Dinosaur Discovered in China
A fossil of a bird-like dinosaur with elongated lower legs, named Fuijianvenator prodigiosus, has been discovered in China. Weighing around 1.4 pounds, the fossil fills a gap in the fossil record close to the origin of birds. The unique skeletal features suggest that the dinosaur may have been a high-speed runner or lived in a swampy aquatic environment. The fossil was found alongside other aquatic animals, indicating a possible affinity for swamps. While no feathers were preserved, it is likely that the dinosaur had them, although its ability to fly cannot be determined from the fossil.