Proteins (collagen) in the bones of a 68 million-year-old dinosaur prove that the Tyrannasaurus rex are directly related to birds. This was the first time that soft tissue (necessary for genetic mapping) could be extracted from fossils. In fact, the study shows that the T Rex is actually closer related to chickens and birds than alligators and other lizards.
This is an Image of the New Dating Process which Uses Genetic Analysis
Researchers’ genetic analysis of the ancient preserved proteins in bones can be used to fill in all sorts of gaps in the evolutionary tree. It does however, also prove that just comparing mechanical and physical animal structures is also a valid way of discerning animal lineages. The researchers also reiterated the connection between ancient, extinct Mastadons and modern elephants by analyzing the DNA from Mastadon hair.
Scientists also have more accurately pinpointed the extinction of the dinosaurs thanks to this new molecular comparison. Their improved process put the end of the Cretaceous (the last period of dinosaur dominance) around 65.95 million years ago (give or take 40,000 years). Earlier estimates put that date at around 65.5 million years ago. The older study had a 300,000-year margin for error.
I had heard at some point that scientist had related the dino to the bird. It’s pretty exciting they found direct evidence. (I had heard that the earlier idea was related to bone structure which is similar to a birds…) Really fascinating actually.. now there’s two kinds of species that don’t seem to look like they should go together.
By: aullori on May 1, 2008
at 7:22 pm
Actually, dinosaurs had many structures homologous to those of birds, like
The first birds shared the following major skeletal characteristics with many coelurosaurian dinosaurs (especially those of their own clade, the Maniraptora, which includes Velociraptor):
Pubis (one of the three bones making up the vertebrate pelvis) shifted from an anterior to a more posterior orientation (see Saurischia), and bearing a small distal “boot”.
Elongated arms and forelimbs and clawed manus (hands).
Large orbits (eye openings in the skull).
Flexible wrist with a semi-lunate carpal (wrist bone).
Hollow, thin-walled bones.
3-fingered opposable grasping manus (hand), 4-toed pes (foot); but supported by 3 main toes.
Reduced, posteriorly stiffened tail.
Elongated metatarsals (bones of the feet between the ankle and toes).
S-shaped curved neck.
Erect, digitgrade (ankle held well off the ground) stance with feet postitioned directly below the body.
Similar eggshell microstructure.
Teeth with a constriction between the root and the crown.
Functional basis for wing power stroke present in arms and pectoral girdle (during motion, the arms were swung down and forward, then up and backwards, describing a “figure-eight” when viewed laterally).
Expanded pneumatic sinuses in the skull.
Five or more vertebrae incorporated into the sacrum (hip).
Straplike scapula (shoulder blade).
Clavicles (collarbone) fused to form a furcula (wishbone).
Hingelike ankle joint, with movement mostly restricted to the fore-aft plane.
Secondary bony palate (nostrils open posteriorly in throat).
Possibly feathers… this awaits more study. Small, possibly feathered dinosaurs were recently found in China. It appears that many coelurosaurs were cloaked in an external fibrous covering that could be called “protofeathers.”
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/avians.html
By: scienceguy288 on May 1, 2008
at 11:55 pm
Just looking at, say, a pelican, this relationship isn’t too much of a surprise, but it’s cool that they were able to prove it scientifically!
By: Adam R. Paul on May 2, 2008
at 4:58 pm
Just look at Archeopterix and you will see the relationship right away.
By: scienceguy288 on May 3, 2008
at 10:50 pm