A groundbreaking discovery in Brazil has provided new insights into how modern bird brains evolved from their dinosaur ancestors.
The fossil of a bird species, Navaornis hestiae, dating back 80 million years, was found remarkably well-preserved, allowing scientists to digitally reconstruct its brain and inner ear using advanced imaging techniques.
Scientists Discover Fossil Linking Early Birds to Modern Cognitive Abilities
The Navaornis skull is one of the most complete early bird fossils ever found. Researchers used micro-CT scans to reveal a brain structure that bridges the gap between primitive birds like Archaeopteryx, which lived 150 million years ago, and today's birds.
This fossil offers rare evidence of an "intermediate phase" in the evolution of avian intelligence and brain anatomy.
According to Reuters, the bird, about the size of a starling, lived in an arid environment during the Cretaceous Period. Its fossil included 80% of its skeleton, which showed it was a capable flier.
Despite its similarities to modern birds, Navaornis had unique traits, such as claws on its wings and a brain less developed than that of living species.
Navaornis's brain displayed a mix of modern and ancient features. The cerebrum, responsible for complex thinking, was larger than that of Archaeopteryx but smaller than in modern birds, suggesting an intermediate level of cognitive ability.
Its cerebellum, which helps with flight coordination, was less developed than in today's birds but more advanced than its dinosaur predecessors.
The fossil also revealed unexpected specializations, such as a large vestibular system in the inner ear, which supports balance and might have enhanced its flying capabilities. These findings suggest that some modern traits evolved independently in Navaornis and other early bird species.
Navaornis Fossil Fills 70-Million-Year Gap in Bird Evolution History
The discovery comes at a time when well-preserved early bird fossils are scarce. The fragility of bird bones often prevents such specimens from surviving intact. This skull, however, remained three-dimensionally preserved, offering scientists a rare glimpse into the past.
Navaornis belonged to a now-extinct group called enantiornithines, which thrived during the Cretaceous but were wiped out by the asteroid that ended the age of dinosaurs.
Its delicate beak suggests a diet of seeds and insects, and its environment was shared with large plant-eating and meat-eating dinosaurs.
This fossil fills a 70-million-year gap in the understanding of avian brain evolution. It highlights the gradual development of traits associated with modern birds, such as advanced cognition and motor control, Gadget 360 said.
Scientists hope future discoveries from the same site will shed even more light on the origins of today's bird intelligence and behavior.
With Navaornis hestiae, researchers are uncovering the evolutionary story of how ancient feathered creatures transformed into the intelligent birds that soar through our skies today.
