Difference between revisions of "Archaeopteryx"
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''Archaeopteryx'' is often presented as evidence of evolution because the bones have some characteristics reminiscent of [[reptile | reptiles]] including teeth and incomplete evolution of the wing structure{{fact}}, making it appear to be a [[transitional form]] between reptiles and birds. | ''Archaeopteryx'' is often presented as evidence of evolution because the bones have some characteristics reminiscent of [[reptile | reptiles]] including teeth and incomplete evolution of the wing structure{{fact}}, making it appear to be a [[transitional form]] between reptiles and birds. | ||
| − | The criticism of the ''Archaeopteryx'' as a transitional form has been strengthened by the work of creationary anatomist Dr. David Menton | + | The criticism of the ''Archaeopteryx'' as a transitional form has been strengthened by the work of creationary anatomist Dr. David Menton suggesting that ''Archaeopteryx'' was a true bird with flight [[feather]]s, not a transitional form at all. |
In 1993, an article was published in ''Science'' magazine arguing that the ''Archaeopteryx'' had fully-formed flying feathers (including asymmetric vanes and ventral, reinforcing furrows as in modern flying birds), the classical elliptical wings of modem woodland birds, and a large wishbone for attachment of muscles responsible for the downstroke of the wings<ref>A. Feduccia, "Evidence from Claw Geometry Indicating Arboreal Habits of Archaeopteryx," Science, 259(5096):790-793, February 5, 1993.</ref> | In 1993, an article was published in ''Science'' magazine arguing that the ''Archaeopteryx'' had fully-formed flying feathers (including asymmetric vanes and ventral, reinforcing furrows as in modern flying birds), the classical elliptical wings of modem woodland birds, and a large wishbone for attachment of muscles responsible for the downstroke of the wings<ref>A. Feduccia, "Evidence from Claw Geometry Indicating Arboreal Habits of Archaeopteryx," Science, 259(5096):790-793, February 5, 1993.</ref> | ||
Revision as of 09:49, July 11, 2007
Archaeopteryx is an extinct bird, known only from the fossil record. Ten specimens, including several complete, articulated specimens, have been found.
Evidence for evolution?
Archaeopteryx is often presented as evidence of evolution because the bones have some characteristics reminiscent of reptiles including teeth and incomplete evolution of the wing structure[Citation Needed], making it appear to be a transitional form between reptiles and birds.
The criticism of the Archaeopteryx as a transitional form has been strengthened by the work of creationary anatomist Dr. David Menton suggesting that Archaeopteryx was a true bird with flight feathers, not a transitional form at all.
In 1993, an article was published in Science magazine arguing that the Archaeopteryx had fully-formed flying feathers (including asymmetric vanes and ventral, reinforcing furrows as in modern flying birds), the classical elliptical wings of modem woodland birds, and a large wishbone for attachment of muscles responsible for the downstroke of the wings[1]
While most evolutionary scientists agree that the flight feathers of Archaeopteryx were essentially modern, several papers since have argued against Feduccia's claims about the anatomy of Archaeopteryx[2] Specimens such as the Thermoplis Specimen [3] are thought to clearly show that the arms, wishbone, tail, feet, hips, and palate of Archaeopteryx were more like meat-eating theropod dinosaurs than modern birds.
The brain of Archaeopteryx was essentially that of a flying bird, with a large cerebellum and visual cortex.[4] Creationists argue that the fact that it had teeth is irrelevant to its alleged transitional status, as a number of extinct birds had teeth, while many reptiles do not.[4] Furthermore, like other birds, both its maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw) moved. In most vertebrates, including many reptiles, only the mandible moves.[4]
External Links
- Archaeopteryx (unlike Archaeoraptor) is NOT a hoax—it is a true bird, not a “missing link” by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D., F.M.
- Archaeopteryx by Dr. Carl Wieland
- As a Transitional Form Archaeopteryx Won't Fly by Duane Gish, Ph.D.
- Refuting Evolution, Bird evolution? by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D., F.M.
- Earliest Bird Had Feet Like Dinosaur, Fossil Shows
Sources
- Wieland, Carl, Bird evolution flies out the window, Creation 16(4):16–19, September 1994