earthstory: RARE GLIMPSE INTO PREHISTORIC CHICK DEVELOPMENT A...
RARE GLIMPSE INTO PREHISTORIC CHICK DEVELOPMENT
A recent study of one of the smallest, most complete, avian fossils to date, has also shown it to be one of the cutest. Casually known as MPCM-LH-26189 and belonging to the family Enantiornithes it existed alongside the dinosaurs 127 million years ago and died shortly after hatching from its egg. Measuring a mere 5 cm in length and bearing only a few feathers, it was likely no larger than a big cockroach. But the timing of its death has allowed us to glimpse briefly at its early development, building on what we know from extant species. Chick development has been extensively researched as a branch of embryology and birds are often used as models to compare skeletal and organ development between organisms.
from Tumblr http://ift.tt/2FJbhTe
via IFTTT
Comments