A groundbreaking study, published in iScience in 2021, revealed new insights into the evolutionary link between birds and dinosaurs. The discovery of Baby Yingliang, an exceptionally well-preserved ...

A study from Kyushu University reveals how the timing of a key developmental signal shapes differences in bird breastbone formation and flight ability, deepening understanding of skeletal evolution.

Birds have developed a unique evolutionary solution to ensure the survival of males—a powerful microRNA. This tiny gene allows male embryos to survive despite a genetic imbalance between the sexes by ...

A remarkably well-preserved dinosaur embryo, unearthed from a fossilized egg in southern China, is offering scientists an extraordinary window into the evolutionary origins of bird-like behavior.

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I write about biodiversity and the hidden quirks of the natural world. Fossil discoveries unlock chapters of our planet’s storied ...

Is there only one optimal configuration an organism can reach during evolution? Is there a single formula that describes the trajectory towards the optimum? And can we 'derive' it in a purely ...

Shapes of beaks and snouts come in an extraordinary range of forms, reflecting adaptations to different lifestyles and environments. Yet beneath this diversity lies a paradox: across birds and mammals ...

Mesozoic Pompeii -- The evolution of an airframe -- The origin of birds -- Archaeopteryx : an ancient wing -- Protoavis : a precocious Triassic bird -- Basal avialans : the long-tailed birds -- ...