GabyAccording to a new study from Ohio State University, a fossilized skull discovered by paleontologists in Antarctica reveals a connection between prehistoric and modern birds. Moreover, this finding supports the theory that all contemporary birds originated in Antarctica. The remarkably well-preserved skull belonged to a waterfowl species known as Vegavis iaai. This bird lived approximately 69 million years ago—over two million years before the mass extinction event that wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs.
What makes this discovery so special? Scientists have noted that the beak of Vegavis iaai was long and pointed, and its brain shape was unlike that of any other Mesozoic bird. Since the species was first described 20 years ago, some paleontologists have suspected it to be the oldest bird exhibiting traits of modern avian species. Others doubted that such birds existed before the asteroid impact that caused the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period. However, researchers lacked the most crucial part of Vegavis iaai—a more or less complete skull. Finally, they found it. “Few birds have sparked as much debate among paleontologists as Vegavis iaai,” said lead author Christopher Torres. He believes that this fossil will help answer many questions posed by scientists involved in these discussions. The most pressing question remains: what is Vegavis iaai‘s place on the avian tree of life?
Generally, bird fossils are quite fragile, which is why so few bones from that era have survived in such good condition as this skull. It’s worth noting that all other Vegavis iaai specimens found previously were either headless skeletons or fragments of skulls. This species likely survived the mass extinction due to its habitat in Antarctica, characterized by a temperate climate and lush vegetation. The rest of the planet at that time was utterly inhospitable to life, as reported by Science Alert.
What conclusions have researchers drawn? To scan this remarkable find, paleontologists utilized X-ray micro-computed tomography. They also created a digital three-dimensional model of the oldest “modern” bird, which allowed them to examine details of its braincase, palate, rostrum, lower jaw, and brain shape. The specimen exhibited distinct features of modern waterfowl. Its slender, pointed beak and powerful jaw muscles for catching fish linked Vegavis iaai to contemporary diving birds like grebes and loons. The prehistoric bird also had a well-developed salt gland in the nasal part of its beak, which removes sodium chloride from the blood of some marine birds whose diets are rich in seafood. The rest of the fossil skeleton of Vegavis iaai also corresponded to its aquatic lifestyle. Specifically, the bird’s legs were positioned in a way that allowed it to easily chase its prey in the water.
“The few places where significant late Cretaceous bird fossils have been preserved, such as Madagascar and Argentina, showcase strange extinct species with teeth and long bony tails that only vaguely resemble modern birds,” noted paleontologist Patrick O’Connor, a co-author of the study. “Something entirely different was likely happening in the far reaches of the Southern Hemisphere, especially in Antarctica,” the scientist added. The results of the study were published in the journal Nature.
