Millions of years before the earliest birds appeared on the planet, mysterious animals with bird-like feet were already about. A study published in the journal Nature recently uncovered the fossil remains of an extraordinary creature which dates back to the Triassic Period, around 250 million years ago.
The newly discovered animal is called Auroravis, after the Latin for “dawn bird,” believed to indicate its bridge between birds and their earlier reptilian relatives. Interestingly, it had bird-like feet, but its body is primarily like a typical, two-legged reptile.
The specimens, which were unearthed in the relic of Triassic lake beds, are believed to be the oldest ever found with bird-like feet. This relationship is further evidenced by the fact that the creature’s feet are comprised of three digits instead of four, as most lizards do.
The Auroravis also had a short, yet deep, snout which hints at a carnivorous diet. Combined with its other features, scientists think this alone suggests that the creature shares even more features with the bird family than first anticipated.
This rare find is remarkable for more than just its antiquity. It helps to fill the evolutionary “gap” between today’s birds and the earlier reptilian relatives. With Auroravis firmly established as a bridge between these two groups, scientists hope to gain more insight into the development of bird species.