T-rex related to chickens?

[zznɟ ǝɥʇ]

As I perused the BBC website I noticed this article.

Researchers compared organic molecules preserved in the T. rex fossils with those of living animals, and found they were similar to chicken protein.

The discovery of protein in dinosaur bones is a surprise - organic material was not thought to survive this long.

A pretty interesting article.

[Real]

That is kinda weird, but... I have the feeling I heard something about it somewhere.

well, what we have to do is wait for the researchers to expand their researches and make more discoveries that should clear the path a little more.

PS: Waiting for more posts to debate on this matter. it's interesting, indeed.

[MaximiIian]

Does it really come as that much of a surprise? Birds are the further evolution of dinosaurs into modern day, after all.

[Vanquisher]

Well, people (humans but lets be neutral lol), are closely related to tree shrews

[MaximiIian]

Well, people (humans but lets be neutral lol), are closely related to tree shrews

True in a sense. The earliest primates during the late Cretaceous were basically tree-dwelling glires with opposable thumbs and binocular vision. They evolved to larger, more complex forms only after the asteroid impacts and climate shifts had eliminated the largest of the dinosaurs from the ecosystems of Earth.

[Rhinosaur]

I read about this in the paper today. I'd say the most interesting part of this story is that the organic material found inside the bone is still relatively intact, even retaining it's elasticity.

[Vanquisher]

A fellow Palaeontologist?

[zznɟ ǝɥʇ]

Glad to see people are interested in palaeontology here.

[Real]

Well, not only the chickens are linked to T-rex, as we have seen. There are many more links that are sometimes more bizarre: an insect that was once a dinosaur, for example.

[Vanquisher]

Well, not only the chickens are linked to T-rex, as we have seen. There are many more links that are sometimes more bizarre: an insect that was once a dinosaur, for example.

Proof?

[Beiss]

Proof?

QFE. What the hell are you talking about, eqcards?

The earliest primates during the late Cretaceous were basically tree-dwelling glires with opposable thumbs and binocular vision.

Errr... Binocular vision? Isn't that a common feature for all vertebrates (except those that are blind, such as moles), mammals and dinosaurs alike? Or is it only binocular if both eyes are facing forward?

[DimondLight]

The resemblance may not be immediately obvious

Ha, that gave me a good laugh. I think I saw something about this somewhere, but I can't remember...

[MaximiIian]

Isn't that a common feature for all vertebrates, mammals and dinosaurs alike? Or is it only binocular if both eyes are facing forward?

I'm pretty sure it's only if both eyes face forwards. Most vertebrates have their eyes facing slightly more spaced out, or totally off to the sides- antelope, example.

Well some scientists defend the T-rex was covered in feathers back in the day.

True. Most scientists say that the majority of dinosaurs were not covered in scales, but rather in a leathery skin-like covering, much like birds, and had down feathers covering their bodies, for warmth mainly.

[Sheep]

True. Most scientists say that the majority of dinosaurs were not covered in scales, but rather in a leathery skin-like covering, much like birds, and had down feathers covering their bodies, for warmth mainly.

Actually skin impressions of smaller tyrannosaurids show pebbly scales similar to a Gila monster.



Also, I have it on good authority that at least one member of this board was personally involved with the excavation of this specimen.

[Hattori]

Well some scientists defend the T-rex was covered in feathers back in the day.

[Beiss]

Well some scientists defend the T-rex was covered in feathers back in the day.

LOL You're getting a +rep for that one.

[Hattori]

Not quite the big scary monster you imagined uh?

[haukim]

Now here's the kicker: T Rex is more closely related to chickens than to other carnosaurs such as the Allosaurids, so not only are birds just feathered dinosaurs, T rex is actually a direct descendent of a stem avian.

[BigJake]

Not quite the big scary monster you imagined uh?

i dont know dude, those claws and teeth look pretty big to me.

[zznɟ ǝɥʇ]

Yeah, for some reason a feathered T rex seems scarier. Perhaps it's the unknown about it...we're used to seeing the scaly version of it.

Here's some other pics of feathered dinos, again I'm more scared of them than the traditional views.



I believe this is a Deinonychus.