Topic: Archaeopteryx - the bird brain.  (Read 1401 times)

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Offline Nemesis

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Archaeopteryx - the bird brain.
« on: August 04, 2004, 06:21:34 pm »
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Hi-tech scanning equipment was used to X-ray the brain case of the Jurassic era bird, called Archaeopteryx.

It revealed structures similar to those that modern birds use for flight and balance, the study in Nature reports.


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Offline Sirgod

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Re: Archaeopteryx - the bird brain.
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2004, 09:11:06 am »
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Dr Milner commented: "This all suggests that the development of the bird brain goes hand in hand with that of the physical structures, e.g. the wings, that allow it to fly.

"In fact, the brain is so bird-like, that the flying process must have evolved much sooner than anyone thought."

Dr Graham Taylor, an expert in animal flight dynamics at Oxford University, said the paper was "very exciting".

"The findings are consistent with what we know about Archaeopteryx flight," he commented.

"But this sheds a lot of light on the evolution of the brain.

"Its regional development is similar to that of modern birds. But, as you might expect for a transitional form, the brain as a whole remains relatively small."

Good Read Nemesis.

Stephen
"You cannot exaggerate about the Marines. They are convinced to the point of arrogance, that they are the most ferocious fighters on earth - and the amusing thing about it is that they are."- Father Kevin Keaney, Chaplain, Korean War

Offline Nemesis

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Re: Archaeopteryx - the bird brain.
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2004, 08:44:46 pm »
Good Read Nemesis.

Stephen

I found it interesting.   I wonder if similar studies have been done on the skulls of other more well known flightless dinosaurs.  Could those structures exist in variant less developed forms in other dinosaurs (with other purposes)? 

This is just one example of how advancing technologies allow the review of old knowledge to gain information that was missed by more primitive techniques. 
Do unto others as Frey has done unto you.
Seti Team    Free Software
I believe truth and principle do matter. If you have to sacrifice them to get the results you want, then the results aren't worth it.
 FoaS_XC : "Take great pains to distinguish a criticism vs. an attack. A person reading a post should never be able to confuse the two."

Offline mathguy

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Re: Archaeopteryx - the bird brain.
« Reply #3 on: August 07, 2004, 02:37:40 am »
IKV Nemesis,



Good Read Nemesis.

Stephen


I found it interesting.   I wonder if similar studies have been done on the skulls of other more well known flightless dinosaurs.  Could those structures exist in variant less developed forms in other dinosaurs (with other purposes)? 

This is just one example of how advancing technologies allow the review of old knowledge to gain information that was missed by more primitive techniques. 



That's an interesting sig that you've got there!  8)


mathguy

Offline Nemesis

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Re: Archaeopteryx - the bird brain.
« Reply #4 on: August 07, 2004, 05:14:25 pm »

That's an interesting sig that you've got there!  8)

mathguy


With the dinosaur posts I have made recently I couldn't resist "borrowing" it when I saw it in use on groklaw.

I am also considering introducing sentient velociraptors to my D&D campaign so it matched some things I was thinking of.  A Velociraptor named "Barney" would go over well (ok interestingly) singing that song.  :)  I have a player who would probably sing it for me (the SPCA forbids me to sing :( ).
« Last Edit: August 07, 2004, 06:39:15 pm by IKV Nemesis »
Do unto others as Frey has done unto you.
Seti Team    Free Software
I believe truth and principle do matter. If you have to sacrifice them to get the results you want, then the results aren't worth it.
 FoaS_XC : "Take great pains to distinguish a criticism vs. an attack. A person reading a post should never be able to confuse the two."

Offline Stormbringer

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Re: Archaeopteryx - the bird brain.
« Reply #5 on: August 07, 2004, 10:41:12 pm »
It's possible. Eioraptor and other therapods were feathered and one in particular ( the eioraptor, I think) had longish feathered arms used to grab prey in a leaping flying tackle. The structure needed to do this likely evolved into flight control centers in successive creatures like the archeopteryx. Also bones and feather structures evolved from these "grab ass" artists.

Offline Stormbringer

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Re: Archaeopteryx - the bird brain.
« Reply #6 on: August 09, 2004, 04:11:23 pm »
B.C:  " I am an achaeopterix; a small flightless bird with hairy feathers!"
« Last Edit: August 09, 2004, 09:27:40 pm by Stormbringer »