What a 99-million-year-old feather is telling us about the evolution of flight
Long before birds took to the skies, dinosaurs were already sporting feathers. But exactly how they evolved into the sophisticated structures that allow birds to fly remains something of a mystery. Now, the discovery of the longest feather ever found preserved in amber is providing some new clues.
A 99-million-year-old feather, discovered preserved in amber from Myanmar, provides new insights into the evolution of flight in dinosaurs and birds. While the feather features a modern-like shape, it lacked key structural components necessary for flight, such as reinforcement in its central shaft and tiny hooks connecting its strands.
Computer simulations revealed that the ancient feather bent about 10 times more than a modern feather when exposed to identical airflow conditions. These findings indicate that the development of feather size and shape preceded the evolution of structural strength needed for effective flight.
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