[[Image:archaeopteryx{{Taxonomy|name=Archaeopteryx|image=Archaeopteryx1.pngjpg|thumbnailcaption=|rightdomain=Eukaryota|0pxkingdom=Animalia|Birdsubkingdom=Bilateria|branch=Deuterostomia |superphylum=|phylum=Chordata|subphylum=Vertebrata|infraphylum=Gnathostomata |microphylum=|superdivision=|division=|subdivision=|superclass=Tetrapoda|class=Aves|subclass=|infraclass=|superorder=|order=Archaeopterygiformes|suborder=|infraorder=|superfamily=|family=Archaeopterygidae|subfamily=|supertribe=|tribe=|subtribe=|genera=|genus=Archaeopteryx|subgenus=|species=A. lithographica<br/>A. macrura<br/>A. recurva<br/>A. siemensii|binomialname=|sub=|alt=|regionimg=|pop=|conservation=Extinct}}'''''Archaeopteryx''''', or dinosaur?an extinct [[bird]]known from a small number of [[fossil]]ized remains found in southern Germany, is claimed by [[evolution]]ary biologists to be the first species of bird to appear on Earth,<ref>[http://www.discovery.org/a/1106 "Archaeopteryx is the oldest bird in the fossil record." - John Wells]</ref> as well as a so-called "[[transitional form]]" between reptiles and birds.
'''There are two criticisms of ''Archaeopteryx''''' . The first is that the fossils are an extinct elaborate hoax as claimed by the British astronomer and physicist, Sir [[birdFred Hoyle]], known only from ; the [[fossil]] record. Ten specimens, including several complete, articulated specimenssecond is that ''Archaeopterix'' is a true bird, have been foundand not a transitional form suggesting evolution.
== Evidence for evolution? Description==''Archaeopterix'' was roughly crow-sized, with an over-all body length of 18 inches. Discounting the feather impressions in some of the fossil specimens, ''Archaeopterix'' had a build generally-similar to that of a small theropod dinosaur, with the species ''Compsognathus'' cited. Both wings ended in three-fingered claws. The tail was long, feathered on either side. Evidence that the legs were feathered as well was shown in the Berlin specimen as recently as 1880, prior to that fossil's preservation.
''Archaeopteryx'' is often presented as evidence The bill, like modern birds, was capable of evolution because independent movement in both the bones have some characteristics reminiscent of [[reptile | reptiles]] including teeth upper and incomplete evolution of the wing structure{{fact}}lower jaws; unlike modern birds, making it appear to be a [[transitional form]] between reptiles and birdsboth jaws were studded with small teeth.
The criticism of hip bones are fully-formed and bird-like, i.e. the pubic bone points to the rear, unlike theropod dinosaurs (which had a forward-pointing pubic bone) from which evolution claims an ancestry. Despite this contradiction, some authorities prefer to place ''ArchaeopteryxArchaeopterix'' as a transitional form has been strengthened by within the work of creationary anatomist Dr. David Menton suggesting that order Avetheropoda, which includes such theropods as [[Tyrannosaurus|''ArchaeopteryxTyrannosaurus rex'']] and '' was a true bird with flight [[featherSpinosaurus]]s, not a transitional form at all''<ref>http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?a=basicTaxonInfo&taxon_no=55483</ref>
All known fossils - approximately thirteen - were found in the Solenhofen limestone formation of southern Bavaria, Germany.
== Criticism ==
===Fraud dispute===
====Charges of fraud====
In 1983, a half-dozen leading [[British]] scientists led by noted British [[Fred Hoyle|Radio-astronomer Sir Fred Hoyle]] carefully studied the plates and counter-plates from the two best ''Archaeopteryx'' specimens, and found evidence of forgery.<ref>Sarfati, 2000</ref> They discovered that the front and back slabs of each specimen do not match.<ref name="four">British Journal of Photography (March–June 1985).<br />W.J. Broad, "Authenticity of Bird Fossil is Challenged," N.Y. Times C1, C14 (May 7, 1985).<br />T. Nield, "Feathers Fly Over Fossil 'Fraud'," New Scientist 1467:49-50.<br />G. Vines, "Strange Case of Archaeopteryx 'Fraud'," New Scientist 1447:3.</ref>
They found that an alteration had been made to the left wing as depicted in an 1863 drawing.<ref name="four" />
They concluded that the feather markings had been imprinted by hand.<ref name="four" />
They also found that etching process had used cement blobs.<ref name="four" />
When the scientists requested the ability to use an electronic microscope and carbon-14 dating, the museum refused and withdrew the specimens from the scientists.<ref name="four" />
The same [[British]] Museum had been responsible for the [[Piltdown Man]] fraud.
====Assertions of authenticity====
Scientists who have since inspected the London ''Archaeopteryx'' and other specimens have conlcuded these fossils are not forgeries.<ref>Charig et al. 1986. Archaeopteryx is not a forgery. Science 232: 622-626</ref> In particular, the found the feathers on the Maxburg fossil continue underneath the bones - precluding the possibility of them being added to a reptile fossil, tiny fractures that could not have been seen at the time of Archaeopteryx's discovery matched in the plate and counter-plate and the 'blobs' cited by Hoyle are also have matching impressions on the counter plate (suggesting they weren't added). The evidence that ''Archaeopteryx'' is not a fraud is so strong that creationist site [[Answers in Genesis]] suggests creationists don't use this argument <ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/get-answers/topic/arguments-we-dont-use</ref>
===Not a transitional===
The second criticism of the ''Archaeopteryx'', that it is not a transitional form, has been strengthened by the work of anatomist Dr. David Menton<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/bios/d_menton.asp</ref> suggesting that ''Archaeopteryx'' is a true bird with flight feathers, not a transitional form at all. In 1994, an article explained that the ''Archaeopteryx'' was essentially a flying bird, with a large [[cerebellum]] and [[visual cortex]]. The fact that it had teeth is irrelevant to its alleged transitional status—a number of extinct birds had teeth, while many reptiles do not (the South American [[hoatzin]], ''Opisthocomus hoazin'', also shares with ''Archaeopteryx'' clawed digits in its wings, albeit as juveniles).
== Evidence for evolution? ==
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>Feduccia, 1993</ref>
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''<ref>"The tenth skeletal specimen of Archaeopteryx," ''Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society,'' 149:97-116, 2007.</ref> Specimens such as the Thermoplis Specimen <ref>Wyoming Dinosaur Center.</ref> 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 == Specimens ==There are currently only thirteen known specimens of ''Archaeopteryx'' was essentially that of a flying bird.<ref>Wikipedia claims an eleventh specimen, with a large cerebellum but only lists ten.</ref>All were allegedly found in the limestone of the [[Solnhofen]] area in Germany and visual cortexhave not been substantiated by any discovery anywhere else in the world.<ref name="cw94CFM">WielandMagovern</ref>{| class="wikitable"! Image || Specimen || When found || Location found || People involved || Current location || Comments|-| [[File:ArchaeopterixFeather.jpg|100px]] || Feather<ref name="CN">Nedlin, 19941999 (The TalkOrigins Archive)</ref>|| 1860 || Near Solnhofen || Described by H. von Meyer || Humboldt Museum für Naturkunde in [[Berlin]] || Single feather only.Creationists argue that |-| [[File:ArchaeopteryxLondon.JPG|100px]] || London specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1861 || Near Langenaltheim || Announced by H. v Meyer || [[British Museum of Natural History]], [[London]] || Missing the fact that it had teeth is irrelevant to its alleged transitional statushead and neck; detailed feather impressions.|-| [[File:Archaeopteryx1.jpg|100px]] || Berlin specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1877 || Near Blumenberg || Described by W. Dames || Humboldt Museum für Naturkunde || The most complete specimen|-| [[File:ArchaeopterixMaxberg.jpg|100px]] || Maxberg specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1958 || Near Langenaltheim || Found and owned by Eduard Opitsch || Maxberg Museum; currently lost or stolen || Torso, wings, and feather impressions|-| [[File:ArchaeopterixHaarlem.jpg|100px]] || Haarlem Specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1855 || Near Riedenburg || Described by H. von Meyer || Teylers Museum, [[Haarlem]] || Not classified as a number ''Archaeopteryx'' until 1970. Remains of extinct birds had teethwing claws and leg bones.|-| [[File:ArchaeopteryxEichstätt.jpg|100px]] || Eichstätt Specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1951 || Near Workerszell || Described by Peter Wellnhofer || Jura Museum, while many reptiles do not[[Eichstätt]] || Smallest specimen|-| [[File:ArchaeopteryxSolenhofen.jpg|100px]] || Solnhofen Specimen<ref name="cw94CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1960s || Near Eichstätt || Described by Wellnhofer || Bürgermeister-Müller-Museum in Solnhofen || Nearly complete; no feather impressions.Furthermore|-| [[File:ArchaeopterixMunich.jpg|100px]] || Munich specimen or Solnhofen-Aktien-Verein specimen<ref name="CFM" /><ref name="CN" /> || 1992 || Near Langenaltheim || Described by Wellnhofer || Paläontologisches Museum München, [[Munich]] || First specimen to be found with an intact sternum, proving ''Archaeopteryx'' was capable of powered flight like other modern birds, both its maxilla |-| [[File:Archaeopteryx (upper jawDaiting Specimen) and mandible .jpg|100px]] || Daiting specimen || 1990 || Near Daiting || || || The youngest specimen|-| [[File:Archaeopteryx (lower jawChicken Wing) moved.In most vertebrates, including many reptilesjpg|100px]] || Bürgermeister-Müller specimen || 2000 || || || Bürgermeister-Müller Museum, Solnhofen || Single wing only the mandible moves|-| [[File:ArchaeopterixThermopolis.jpg|100px]] || Thermopolis specimen<ref >The Wyoming Dinosaur Center</ref><ref>Hartman, 2005</ref> || || || Described by Mayr, Pohl, and Peters || Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis, [[Wyoming]] || Had been privately owned in Switzerland|-| [[File:Archaeopteryx lithographica - 11 specimen.jpg|100px]] || ''no namegiven yet''<ref>http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/paleontologists-unveil-the-11th-archaeopteryx-112131580/?no-ist="cw94" </ref>|| || || || || Currently studied by Paleontologists of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet.|-| || ''no name given yet'' || 2010 || Near Altmannstein<ref>http://www.donaukurier.de/nachrichten/bayern/Schamhaupten-Der-naechste-Archaeopteryx;art155371,2880263</ref> || || || |}
== Bibliography ==
* Anon., [http://www.wyodino.org/research/?item=archaeopteryx ''Archaeopteryx'': The Thermopolis Specimen] The Wyoming Dinosaur Center
* Bakalar, Nicholas, [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/12/1201_051201_archaeopteryx.html Earliest Bird Had Feet Like Dinosaur, Fossil Shows], National Geographic News, [[1 December]] [[2005]]
* Feduccia, A., "Evidence from Claw Geometry Indicating Arboreal Habits of Archaeopteryx," ''Science'', 259(5096):790-793, February 5, 1993 ([http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0036-8075%2819930205%293%3A259%3A5096%3C790%3AEFCGIA%3E2.0.CO%3B2-1 abstract])
* [[Duane Gish|Gish, Duane]], [httphttps://www.icr.org/article/321/ As a Transitional Form Archaeopteryx Won't Fly] ''Impact'', September 1, 1989* Hartman, Scott, [[http://skeletaldrawing.com/Archaeopteryx/archaeo.htm Clarification statement on Thermopolis specimen] 1 September]December 2005 (The Wyoming Dinosaur Center).* Magovern, Charlie and Florence, [http://www.stonecompany.com/fossils/casts/archaeopteryx/data.html Archaeopteryx] * Nedlin, Chris, [[1989]http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/archaeopteryx/info.html#specimens All About Archaeopteryx], 1999 (The TalkOrigins Archive)* [[Jonathan Sarfati|Sarfati, Jonathan]], [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3653 Archaeopteryx (unlike Archaeoraptor) is NOT a hoax—it is a true bird, not a “missing link”], Creation Ministries International, [[March 24 March]] [[, 2000]]
* Sarfati, Jonathan, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/3833/106/ Bird evolution?], Chapter 4 of ''Refuting Evolution''.
* [[Carl Wieland|Wieland, Carl]], [http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v1/i1/archaeopteryx.asp Archaeopteryx], ''Creation'' 1(1):12–16, June 1978.
* Wieland, Carl, [http://www.creationontheweb.com/content/view/909/ Bird evolution flies out the window], ''Creation'' 16(4):16–19, September 1994
==See also==
*[[Feathered dinosaurs]]
==References==
<references/>
[[Category:Evolution]][[Category:Extinct animalsAnimals]][[Category:Theory of Evolution and Cases of Fraud, Hoaxes and Speculation]][[Category:Birds]][[Category:Extinct Birds]]