Archaeopteryx lithographica

Archaeopteryx lithographica is a species of dinosaur that is often considered the first true bird. Discovered in the late 19th century in Germany, it is one of the most famous fossils in the world. The name Archaeopteryx comes from the Greek words archaios (meaning "ancient") and pteryx (meaning "feather" or "wing").

Discovery and naming

The first specimen of Archaeopteryx lithographica was discovered in 1861, two years after the publication of Darwin's On the Origin of Species, and its discovery provided support for Darwin's theory of evolution. The specimen was found in the Solnhofen limestone in Germany, which is renowned for its high-quality fossils. The species was named by the German paleontologist Hermann von Meyer in 1861.

Description

Archaeopteryx lithographica was roughly the size of a raven, with broad wings that were rounded at the ends and a long tail compared to its body length. It could reach up to 0.5 meters (1.6 ft) in length, with an estimated weight of 0.8 to 1 kilogram (1.8 to 2.2 lb). Unlike modern birds, Archaeopteryx had small teeth, as well as a long bony tail, features which it shared with other dinosaurs of the time.

Classification

Archaeopteryx lithographica is often considered the earliest bird, but it is also considered a transitional fossil, showing features of both birds and dinosaurs. It is classified in the group Avialae, which also includes modern birds and their closest dinosaurian relatives.

Significance

The discovery of Archaeopteryx lithographica has played a key role in understanding the evolution of birds. Its mixture of bird-like and dinosaur-like traits supports the widely accepted theory that birds are a group of theropod dinosaurs. In particular, the presence of feathers on Archaeopteryx is one of the key pieces of evidence for the dinosaur-bird connection.

See also

• Evolution of birds
• Origin of birds
• History of paleontology
• Timeline of ornithology