Science and Superstition of [Bird] Ancestry

Following a skype lecture by Maud Newton, I thought it would be interesting to throw a little twist on her up and coming currently untitled ancestry book. So I present: 

"The Science and Superstition of Bird Ancestry: an Evolutionary Encounter".

**Our discussion will closely follow the graphic below; the family tree of our avian friends.

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One of the last remaining odes to prehistoric life (specifically the Jurassic period) is our feathery friends. When exploring a lineage and its relations, it is important to identifiy media through which you can accurately trace the past. Much hysteria has surrounded claims of bird lineage that are supported by the theory of evolution, but I assure you and your superstitions that the evidence has been literally ungrounded and remains in our knowledge of the fossil record.

For starters, what is the fossil record? The Fossil Record it is not a book, it is not a cabinet full of files and no it is not something you will find on your grandmothers coffee table. The fossil record is and will continue to grow as the collective knowledge and evidence scientists have uncovered and gained through studying fossils found in the earth. As the fossil record expands and enlightens, it is important to understand the process by which fossils have come to be. If you have any questions pertaining to fossil formation and scenarios, please refer to the flow chart below.

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Once these very specific circumstances have been met, a fossil can be formed. If you are having any question why the earth is not filled with fossils documenting the history of the world, a)it basically is, and b)cut the world some slack, this is a very chance event.

Referring to the family tree above, the evolution of the bird started many millennia before it's distinct characteristics arose. It was subtle changes occurring over many years (evolution) that created the distinct characteristics we have come to know and love.

In the beginning, there was one. Okay, not one, but one specific dinosaur, the ancestor linking ornithischians and theropods. Once this species diverged into two groups (namely because of the ornithischians pubis pointing backward versus the theropods pubis pointed forward) a cascade of events led to the "creation" of flight-capable animals.

For sake of my sanity and yours, I will not discuss many specifics on any of these diversions, however, I will provide links for more information below the list.

1. Four digit hands
2. Hollow bones, Wish bone (thank evolution for thanksgivings sake)
1. this separates what will eventually become birds from Megapnosaurus, a 6ft carnivorous lizard
3. Pubic boot, Three digits in hand
4. Hollow cylindrical feathers
1. this separates modern bird from the Allosaurus, a smaller (30 feet long, 3 ton) version of the T. Rex with more useful arms
5. Tufted Feathers
6. Semilunate carpal in hands, feathers closed with barbules and hooks, nest brooding
7. Feathers closed and asymmetrical 
1. now the dinosaurs are beginning to have familiar bird traits. dromaeosaurus has feathery wings and is more well known for its role as a raptor in the Jurassic Park movie.
8. Long arms
1. this is the beginning of the beginning for birds, archaeopteryx was thought to have been capable of short flights (maybe from tree to tree) 
9. Toothless beak

Details of feather evolution can be found here.

The evolutionary pathways between dinosaur and modern day bird is incredible. It is my hope that with a more complete fossil record critics of the facts based in fossils will eventually submit.


To be expanded.