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Old August 2nd, 2013 #11
alex revision
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Feathered dinosaurs had 'flight-ready' brains


Archaeopteryx is no longer regarded as the only missing link for the transition from dinosaur to bird


Several ancient dinosaurs evolved the brainpower needed for flight long before they could take to the skies, scientists say.

Non-avian dinosaurs were found to have "bird brains", larger than that of Archaeopteryx, a 150 million-year-old bird-like dinosaur.

Once regarded as a unique transition between dinosaurs and birds, scientists say Archaeopteryx has now lost its pivotal place.

The study is published in Nature.

BBC News - Feathered dinosaurs had 'flight-ready' brains