AnyOldIron
Atheist Missionary
Researchers in China and the UK say they have discovered the fossils of a new type of flying reptile that lived more than 160 million years ago.
The find is named Darwinopterus, after Charles Darwin.
Experts say it provides the first clear evidence of a controversial idea called modular evolution.
The 20 new fossils found in north-east China show similarities to both primitive and more advanced pterosaurs, or flying reptiles.
The research is published in the journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Missing link
Pterosaurs were flying reptiles that flourished between 65 and 220 million years ago.
Until now, scientists had known about two distinct groups of these creatures - primitive, long-tailed pterosaurs and more advanced short-tailed ones, separated by a gap in the fossil record.
But the discovery of more than 20 new fossil skeletons in north-east China sits in the gap in this evolutionary chain.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8306060.stm

The find is named Darwinopterus, after Charles Darwin.
Experts say it provides the first clear evidence of a controversial idea called modular evolution.
The 20 new fossils found in north-east China show similarities to both primitive and more advanced pterosaurs, or flying reptiles.
The research is published in the journal, Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
Missing link
Pterosaurs were flying reptiles that flourished between 65 and 220 million years ago.
Until now, scientists had known about two distinct groups of these creatures - primitive, long-tailed pterosaurs and more advanced short-tailed ones, separated by a gap in the fossil record.
But the discovery of more than 20 new fossil skeletons in north-east China sits in the gap in this evolutionary chain.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8306060.stm
