ARCHEOPTERYX: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, NUTRITION, REPRODUCTION - BIOLOGY - 2025

Archeopteryx is a genus of ancient birds that is now extinct. It is very special and important within paleontology because its members presented characteristics of birds, as well as characteristics of reptiles.

The first fossil of an Archeopteryx was found in 1861, a time when the scientific world was still revolutionized by the claims of Darwin in his controversial book The Origin of Species. In that work he laid the foundations of the theory of evolution, according to which organisms have been gradually changing, thus adapting to the changing environment.

Representation of an Archeopteryx. Source: derivative work: Dinoguy2 (talk) User: Bilderbot:

The discovery of Archeopteryx strengthened Darwin's theories, as this was an animal that exhibited characteristics of two large groups, birds and reptiles. Its discovery was a milestone in paleontology and has helped explain certain evolutionary mysteries.

characteristics

Morphology

Archeopteryx was a bird that was not very large. It was actually no bigger than a current raven. Taking into account that since the discovery of the first fossils, this bird has been considered the link between reptiles and the group of birds, it has morphological characteristics that relate it to both groups.

First, it had a fairly long spine. The longest segment was that of the tail, which consisted of approximately more than 20 vertebrae. It had two front and two rear extremities.

The forelimbs presented a bone structure made up of the humerus, which was articulated with another bone, the ulna. Likewise, they had three fingers, from which powerful claws emerged, which it is believed were used to capture prey.

As for the hind limbs, they also had three fingers, also endowed with claws. The arrangement of these claws suggests that these birds had arboreal habits, that is, they would live on tree branches, moving between them.

The Archeopteryx had a pair of large wings, in proportion to the dimensions of their body, as well as a fairly long tail compared to the length of the animal's body.

With regard to plumage, Archeopteryx had very well developed flight feathers in the wing area. This can be evidenced because their shape and arrangement were fully marked in the fossils. It also had plumage on the trunk, being evident a set of feathers that, scientists have established, descended all along the back of the animal.

Period in which he lived

According to the dating of the fossils found, it has been established that the genus Archeopteryx existed during the Jurassic period. This was one of the most fascinating prehistoric periods, since in it, the planet was brimming with life.

This was because the environmental conditions were ideal for different types of living beings (plants and animals) to prosper. In this period, the climate was hot and humid, with a large number of lush plants. This environment greatly facilitated that animals such as those of the genus Archeopteryx could exist and even more, remain on the planet for a prosperous time.

Environmental conditions are the main reason why this bird lived in that period. During it, it was differentiated into several species and they populated a large part of the European continent. However, there comes a point where no more fossils of this animal have been found.

Scientists cannot agree on this. Some argue that it could have become extinct just as the dinosaurs did. While others consider that perhaps they could evolve and transform into other species.

Habitat

According to the fossils found, Archeopteryx existed on the European continent, specifically in the area corresponding to Germany. At that time, due to the process of continental drift, the area was much closer to the equator. This means that it had a tropical-type climate, with high humidity and a somewhat high temperature.

And actually, it was so. The ancient fossil records have established that the ecosystem in that place and at that time in terrestrial history consisted of a kind of archipelago, made up of some islands immersed in a shallow sea whose warm temperatures made it possible for life to develop there.

Taking this into account, the environment, with enough water sources and an exuberant nature, was the ideal for this prehistoric bird to inhabit them.

Because there are no fossil records anywhere else on the planet, until now, it remains an undeniable truth that Archeopteryx lived exclusively there. However, since in other places on Earth the environmental conditions were similar, the idea that they have lived in other latitudes is not ruled out. It only remains to find a fossil record that proves this theory.

Reproduction

Taking into account that Archeopteryx was a prehistoric animal, when talking about important aspects such as reproduction and development, unfortunately it falls into the terrain of speculation and assumption.

It is inferred, for example, that this bird reproduced as the current ones do: with sexual reproduction, internal fertilization and the laying and incubation of eggs.

There are no records that indicate the approximate development time of the embryo inside the egg, so it is not known for sure how long the bird had to hatch its eggs.

Nutrition

Birds of the genus Archeopteryx have been established to be omnivorous. This means that they ate both animals and plants. What determined the type of feeding adopted by the bird was the availability of food in the external environment.

These birds fed on the fruits that could be found in the numerous plants that populated the area of ​​the European continent in which they lived millions of years ago. They also fed on animals such as worms, insects, and even some slightly larger ones.

The main tool of his body that allowed them to capture possible prey were the claws that, according to specialists, also served him to stay on the trees.

Once the prey was captured, it was subjected to the action of the sharp and numerous teeth of the bird's beak, to later begin its journey through the digestive tract.

Archeopteryx on the hunt. Source: Durbed

Fossils found

Throughout history, there are several fossils that have been found of Archeopteryx. A total of 12 specimens have been found in different parts of the area they inhabited. Fortunately, they are fossils that have been very well preserved, thanks to which it has been possible to deepen the study of this prehistoric animal. The most representative ones are described below.

London specimen

His find has been considered a revolution in paleontology. It was the first fossil of this animal found in 1861 in a town near the city of Langenaltheim. It is on display at the National Museum of Natural History in London.

It was described by the famous paleontologist Richard Owen. This specimen had some skull fragments, which allowed establishing that it was similar to that of modern birds. Likewise, he had a very well preserved vertebral column, in which articulated vertebrae and some ribs are appreciated. It also presented the pelvic bone, evidently divided into its three constituent elements.

In addition to this, in this fossil it was possible to identify most of the bones of the left wing, among which the metacarpals and some phalanges stand out. The good preservation of the bones of their lower limb is really surprising, which allowed us to infer the lifestyle of these birds.

Berlin specimen

It was discovered a little after the one in London, in approximately 1875. There is no exact date, since it was discovered by a farmer who sold it so that it could later be passed from hand to hand, until about 10 years later it was described by the German paleontologist Wilhelm Dames.

This fossil has the great privilege of being the most complete and best preserved discovered to date of this prehistoric animal.

Berlin specimen. Source: Shyamal

When it was analyzed, the scientists were amazed to see that his skull was almost entirely preserved. Especially important is the detail offered by the animal's dentition, allowing to establish that its teeth were cylindrical.

Likewise, the upper limbs are almost completely preserved, showing the articulation of both in the shoulder. The good condition of the specimen, allowed to sign that this animal had a hand of only three fingers.

Regarding the lower limbs, they were very well preserved, showing that the feet had four toes. The good conservation of its feet allowed to reaffirm the arboreal habits of this animal.

Maxberg specimen

It was discovered in 1956 in the town of Langenaltheim and was described in 1959 by Florian Heller. At present he is missing, so only the description and the photographs that were taken at the time prevail.

This specimen consisted only of the torso, that is, it did not present evidence of the skull. Taking this into account, it was observed that his spinal column was composed of vertebrae perfectly articulated with each other, in addition to having a complete pelvic girdle, with its three correctly articulated bones.

The forelimbs are very well preserved, being able to stand out hands with three fingers, which were separated and from which large claws of very strong appearance emerge.

One of the hind limbs is perfectly preserved, showing the bones that preserve it: tibia, fibula and femur. The foot has the metatarsal bones. The characteristics of this limb made it possible to establish a certain relationship with current birds.

Haarlem specimen

It was discovered in the town of Riedenburg in 1859 and was described by John Ostrom. Again, this specimen does not have skull particles, but only the torso and some fragments of the extremities, both anterior and posterior.

In the fossil it is possible to observe some well-delineated torso bones, such as some ribs, the pubis (one of the pelvic bones) and some vertebrae. Likewise, the first bone of both legs is observed, that is, the femur. Some bones are also preserved, both in the foot and in the hand.

In one of the hands, a large and curved claw that has a very resistant appearance emerges from the first finger. The bones belonging to the forearm (ulna and radius) are also very well preserved.

It is currently on display at the Teylers museum in the city of Haarlem. From there it derives its name.

Munich specimen

It was discovered in 1992 and described by the well-known German paleontologist Peter Wellnhofer. One of its most outstanding characteristics is that the skeleton is almost entirely preserved, with the exception of the skull, which is missing some fragments.

The bones of the torso are preserved in excellent condition, and it may be possible to appreciate the articulated vertebrae, the ribs, the pelvic girdle and the shoulder girdle. The limbs are also quite well preserved. In particular, the morphology and disposition of some bones of the foot allows, again, to establish that these birds had the ability to cling to branches with considerable agility and strength. As much as current birds.

Bürgermeister specimen - Müller

The finding of this fossil is of recent date, since it was found in 2000. This specimen consists only of a fragment of the forelimb (arm).

The arm is not complete, since it only contains a fragment of the humerus bone, bones of the forearm and almost all the bones of the hand.

The study of this fossil allowed to consolidate some of the knowledge that was had of this genus, thanks to the fossils that had been recovered previously.

Other specimens

The rest of the Archeopteryx fossils that have been found are the following:

-Specimen number 11

-Specimen number 12

-Specimen Eichstätt

-Specimen Daiting

- Specimen Solnhofen

-Specimen of Thermopylae.

References

1. Lacasa, A. (2007). Archeopteryx. Terra Nova 5 (6).
2. Moreno, F. (2010). Dinosaurs today: the evolutionary relationship Dinosaurs-Birds. Elements: Science and Culture. 16 (76).
3. Tarsitano, S. and Hecht, M. (2008). The reptilian relationship of Archeopteryx. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 69 (2)
4. Wellnhofer, Peter (2009). Archeopteryx: The Icon of Evolution. Munich: Verlag Dr. Friedrich Pfeil.
5. Wellnhofer, P (2010). A short history of research on Archeopteryx and its relationship with dinosaurs. Geological Society London Special Publications 343 (1)
6. Yalden, D. (2008). What size was Archeopteryx ?. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 82 (1-2).