Sequential Molt in a Feathered Dinosaur and Implications for Early Paravian Ecology and Locomotion.

Current Biology : CB
Yosef KiatXing Xu

Abstract

Feather molt is an important life-history process in birds, but little is known about its evolutionary history. Here, we report on the first fossilized evidence of sequential wing feather molt, a common strategy among extant birds, identified in the Early Cretaceous four-winged dromaeosaurid Microraptor. Analysis of wing feather molt patterns and ecological properties in extant birds imply that Microraptor maintained its flight ability throughout the entire annual cycle, including the molt period. Therefore, we conclude that flight was essential for either its daily foraging or escaping from predators. Our findings propose that the development of sequential molt is the outcome of evolutionary forces to maintain flight capability throughout the entire annual cycle in both extant birds and non-avialan paravian dinosaurs from 120 mya. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

References

Jan 24, 2003·Nature·Xing XuXiangke Du
Sep 2, 2003·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part B, Molecular and Developmental Evolution·Cheng-Ming ChuongLianhai Hou
Jan 24, 2007·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Sankar Chatterjee, R Jack Templin
Feb 6, 2010·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·David E AlexanderAmanda R Falk
Sep 23, 2011·Integrative and Comparative Biology·M A R KoehlKaren Yang
Mar 10, 2012·Science·Quanguo LiJakob Vinther
Nov 6, 2012·Nature·W JetzA O Mooers
Jun 22, 2013·Current Biology : CB·Xing Xu, Susan Mackem
Sep 21, 2013·Nature Communications·Gareth DykeBharathram Ganapathisubramani
Dec 17, 2014·Science·Xing XuDavid J Varricchio
Oct 28, 2016·Nature·Julia A ClarkeFernando E Novas
Nov 23, 2018·Nature·Jasmina WiemannMark A Norell

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Dec 10, 2020·Communications Biology·Thomas G KayeWilliam R Wahl
Nov 18, 2020·Current Biology : CB·Daniel T Ksepka

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.