普林斯頓大學研究人員在阿拉斯加發現50多塊鳥類化石,成為鳥類在極地築巢的最古老證據,將時間大幅推前超過2500萬年。據《衛報》報導,7300萬年前的北極地區是恐龍棲息地,科學家如今證實恐龍與古代鳥類曾共同生活於此。
Bird nesting in the Cretaceous! This is the illustration I did for a new paper by Lauren Wilson and colleagues that is published TODAY in Science
— Gabriel N. U. (@SerpenIllus) May 29, 2025
The new paper describes an assemblage of fossils that includes both chicks and adults from multiple species of Late Cretaceous birds! pic.twitter.com/24kAcNmcx7
鳥類極地築巢新證據
該研究主導者威爾遜指出,原先最古老的極地築巢證據來自4650萬年前南極洲的企鵝群落。現今北極地區有200多種鳥類築巢,這些生態系統要角承擔授粉及種子傳播等重要功能。
#Birds were nesting in the #Arctic during age of #dinosaurs, scientists discover
— Hans Solo (@thandojo) May 30, 2025
Minuscule fossils from 73m years ago are oldest evidence yet for birds nesting in #polar regions pic.twitter.com/SQk5MKUwi1
化石揭示鳥類近親關係
新出土化石顯示古代鳥類在極地繁殖,其中多數屬無牙的鴨形鳥類。缺乏牙齒的特徵符合現代鳥類演化軌跡,證明這些史前極地鳥類正是當代鳥類的近親。
MSU alumna Lauren Wilson leads a study uncovering evidence that birds nested in the Cretaceous Arctic alongside non-avian dinosaurs! 🦖🐦Several MSU alumni were involved in this research project, including MOR Research Associate Dr. Chris Organ. Read more: https://t.co/iwZljVdOtZ
— Museum of the Rockies (@MuseumRockies) May 30, 2025
微型化石辨識多類鳥種
《Science X》報導,研究團隊透過阿拉斯加出土的微型骨骼與牙齒化石,辨識出多類鳥種,包括似潛鳥的深潛鳥類、類海鷗鳥種,以及近似現代鴨鵝的物種,牠們與恐龍共同棲息繁衍。
基於鳥骨極易碎裂的特性,研究人員採用精細挖掘技術,經沖洗篩選分離出微型化石。阿拉斯加大學北方博物館館長德魯克米勒形容:「這次調查如同淘金,珍貴的鳥骨就是我們發現的寶藏。」
FB圖片@Gabriel Ugueto Art
微量化石訴說壯闊歷史
愛丁堡大學古生物學教授布魯薩特強調:「微量化石訴說壯闊歷史,證實鳥類數千萬年前即為高緯度生態關鍵物種,此類群落實屬地球常態演變,絕非當代獨創。」