Feathers on forelimbs flushed prey

Spread the love

Feathers on forelimbs and tails may have helped dinosaurs flush and pursue prey, according to a new study. The study, published in the journal Current Biology, found that some dinosaurs had feathers on their forelimbs and tails that were similar to those found in modern birds. These feathers may have been used to create a flapping motion that would have helped the dinosaurs to flush out prey from hiding places or to pursue them more effectively. The findings of the study provide new insights into the evolution of feathers and their role in the hunting behavior of dinosaurs.

Feathers, Forelimbs, and Prey: Exploring the Origins of Wings and Tails in Birds

Related Video

Published on: January 25, 2024 Description: Read more at https://phys.org/news/2024-01-dinosaurs-feathers-forelimbs-tails-flush.html In this video: Robopteryx startles ...

Dinosaurs might have used feathers on forelimbs and tails to flush and pursue their prey

Introduction:

The evolution of wings and tails in birds is a captivating topic in the study of animal evolution. Scientists have long believed that these structures originated in feathered dinosaurs. This article explores the hypothesis that dinosaurs used feathers on their forelimbs and tails to flush and pursue their prey.

The Flush-Pursue Hypothesis: Feathers, Forelimbs, and Prey

The Idea:

The flush-pursue hypothesis proposes that small dinosaurs with proto-wings, the precursor to wings, used a strategy similar to modern birds to catch prey. This strategy involves using wings and tail displays to visually startle prey and then pursue it.

Evidence from Field Studies:

Years of field studies on insectivorous birds have shown that displaying contrasting plumage on wings and tails triggers prey escapes, making it easier for birds to catch them. Research has also revealed that certain neurons in insects are activated by the simple properties of these flush displays.

Caudipteryx as a Model:

The researchers chose Caudipteryx, an early Pennaraptoran dinosaur, as a representative species to test the hypothesis. They constructed a robot called ‘Robopteryx’ that resembles the morphology of Caudipteryx and programmed it to imitate the movements of ground-foraging flush-pursuing birds.

Testing the Hypothesis: Feathers, Forelimbs, and Prey

Behavioral Responses of Grasshoppers:

The researchers conducted tests with ‘Robopteryx’ to observe the behavioral responses of wild grasshoppers, likely co-occurring with pennaraptoran dinosaurs. The results showed that grasshoppers escaped more frequently when proto-wings were present on the forelimbs and when they had white patches, mimicking contrasting plumage.

Neural Responses in Grasshoppers:

To understand the reactions of prey to these displays, the researchers recorded the responses of grasshopper neurons to computer animations simulating hypothetical displays by Caudipteryx. The results indicated that the neurons’ reactions were higher in response to animations with proto-wings than those without.

Implications for Dinosaur Evolution: Feathers, Forelimbs, and Prey

Benefits of Flush-Pursue Strategy:

The researchers argue that using plumage to flush prey would have increased the frequency of chases, amplifying the importance of proto-wings and tails in maneuvering for successful pursuit. This could have led to the development of larger and stiffer feathers for more effective pursuits and visual displays.

Evolutionary Significance:

The flush-pursue hypothesis provides a plausible explanation for the evolution of feathers on forelimbs and tails in dinosaurs, suggesting that these structures initially served a purpose in hunting rather than flight.

Wrapping Up: Feathers, Forelimbs, and Prey

The flush-pursue hypothesis offers a novel perspective on the origins of wings and tails in birds, proposing that these structures were initially used by dinosaurs to flush and pursue prey. This hypothesis is supported by behavioral and neural responses observed in grasshoppers and provides insights into the early stages of bird evolution.

FAQ’s

1. What is the flush-pursue hypothesis?

The flush-pursue hypothesis proposes that dinosaurs with proto-wings and tails used these structures to startle prey visually and then pursue it, similar to modern birds.

2. What evidence supports the flush-pursue hypothesis?

Years of field studies on insectivorous birds have shown that displaying contrasting plumage on wings and tails triggers prey escapes. Research has also revealed that certain neurons in insects are activated by the simple properties of these flush displays.

3. How did the researchers test the hypothesis?

The researchers constructed a robot called ‘Robopteryx’ that resembles the morphology of Caudipteryx, an early Pennaraptoran dinosaur, and programmed it to imitate the movements of ground-foraging flush-pursuing birds. They then conducted tests with ‘Robopteryx’ to observe the behavioral responses of wild grasshoppers.

4. What were the behavioral responses of grasshoppers to the flush displays?

Grasshoppers escaped more frequently when proto-wings were present on the forelimbs and when they had white patches, mimicking contrasting plumage.

5. What are the implications of the flush-pursue hypothesis for dinosaur evolution?

The flush-pursue hypothesis suggests that feathers on forelimbs and tails in dinosaurs initially served a purpose in hunting rather than flight. This could have led to the development of larger and stiffer feathers for more effective pursuits and visual displays.

Links to additional Resources:

www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/feathered-dinosaurs-used-wings-and-tails-to-flush-and-pursue-prey.html www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/02/230222113317.htm www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-64752664.