Scientists have found the fossil of a tiny dinosaur called Yi qi — a weird offshoot in the evolution from dinosaurs to birds.
The remains date back 160 million years and illustrate a dinosaur species that unsuccessfully tried to evolve into flight. Paleontologists analyzing the fossil say the pigeon-sized dinosaur would only have been able to soar short distances, as its wings lacked functional feathers.
Scientists also say the structure of the specimen doesn't suggest that Yi qi was a close relative of birds or bird-like dinosaurs. The fossil had bones in its wrist that were rod-like, which would have been connected with fleshy and soft tissue. These rod-like bones have otherwise only been found in gliding four-legged animals like flying squirrels and bats. While the specimen also had feathers, they were not the kind that would have permitted flight.
Yi qi, which means "strange wing" in Mandarin, was found by a farmer in the Tiaojishan Formation of Hebei Province, China. Xing Xu, a co-author of the study and paleontologist at Linyi University, China, suggests that Yi qi was probably the first dinosaur with membranous wings. Xu also asserts that the physical structure of Yi qi is quite unique.
"This is the most unexpected discovery I have ever made, even though I have found a few really bizarre dinosaurs in my career," said Xu.
Scientists theorize that during the initial evolutionary stages of bird-like dinosaurs, several distinct bodily structures emerged. Those with feathered wings are the ones that gave rise to modern day birds, as they were more efficient in flight, in comparison with un-feathered wings.
While scientists agree that the discovery is quite astounding, some believe the fossil may trigger a debate within the scientific community. The bodily structure of Yi qi is so unique as to stir controversy — leading some skeptics to suggest the specimen has been tampered with. The scientists of the study however claim that there is plenty of evidence to confirm Yi qi's authenticity.
The study was published in the journal Nature.
