A staff of worldwide scientists have been collaborating on a genetic research of extant chicken species. This programme units out to supply a greater understanding of the phylogeny of Aves. It has been working for a decade and is break up into 4 phases. A report outlining the conclusions of part two was revealed within the spring (2024). This immense research of chicken genomes has highlighted some vital traits of chicken evolution. For instance, it has confirmed the phylogeny of the extinct phorusrhacids throughout the Aves order.
The advanced nature of avian evolutionary relationships has been highlighted by this analysis. The research, carried out by the Hen 10,000 Genomes (B10K) Consortium has enabled a complete chicken household tree to be constructed. This analysis gives sturdy assist for the speculation that only a few lineages of recent birds existed earlier than the Ok-Pg extinction occasion.
Complexity of chicken evolution revealed by family-level genomes. The chart shows chicken relationships and when teams diverged away from one another in deep geological time. Image credit score: Josefin Stiller, with work of birds by Jon Fjeldså.
Image credit score: Josefin Stiller and work of birds by Jon Fjeldså.
To learn All the things Dinosaur’s weblog submit about this analysis: New Evaluation Re-Writes Hen Evolution.
The Relationship Between Phorusrhacids and Extant Flightless Birds
One of many conclusions of the research is that the Cariamiformes order is much eliminated genetically from the Palaeognathae. This infraclass of birds (Palaeognathae) consists of the flightless ratites and one lineage of volant birds (Tinamous). Life reconstructions of extinct members of the phorusrhacid household differ. For instance, Phorusrhacos longissimus, a phorusrhacid recognized from the Miocene, has been depicted with plumage like its dwelling relative the Seriema, while different depictions give it a bristle-like integumentary overlaying paying homage to an Emu or a Cassowary that are each ratites.
For example, the CollectA Deluxe Kelenken determine, offers this phorusrhacid a coat of bristle-like feathers on the neck and the physique. The feathers on this scale mannequin resemble these of an Emu or a Cassowary.
The CollectA Deluxe Kelenken determine has an integumentary overlaying on the neck and physique which resembles the bristle-like feathers of a ratite corresponding to a Cassowary. Image credit score: All the things Dinosaur.
Image credit score; All the things Dinosaur
To view the CollectA Deluxe vary of figures in inventory: CollectA Deluxe Prehistoric Animal Fashions.
The complexity of avian evolution is being revealed by a genetic evaluation on the species stage. Cariamiformes such because the “terror birds” Phorusrhacos and Kelenken are far faraway from the ratites. Members of the Phorusrhacidae could not have had bristle-like feathers as discovered on Emus and their family members however plumage paying homage to extra carefully associated birds corresponding to falcons and parrots. Maybe mannequin makers will utilise a few of the findings from this intensive analysis programme of their prehistoric chicken figures.
Convergent Evolution
Evolving into massive flightless birds, descended from a standard ancestor is a trait shared by each the ratites and the phorusrhacids. Nevertheless, this isn’t as a result of these two varieties of chicken are carefully associated. It’s extra prone to symbolize an instance of convergent evolution. From a mannequin making perspective, it’s troublesome to search out extant animal references. In any case, nothing just like the “terror birds” exists immediately (fortuitously).
Go to the All the things Dinosaur web site: Prehistoric Animal Figures.
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