Michie
06-14-2007, 09:16 PM
Press Trust Of India
Beijing, June 14, 2007
First Published: 13:31 IST(14/6/2007)
Last Updated: 16:32 IST(14/6/2007)
Chinese scientists have claimed to have discovered a missing link in the evolutionary path between dinosaurs and birds, Gigantoraptor in northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Gigantoraptor erlianensis had a small head, a beak, slim hind legs, a massive body - the size of a Tyrannosaurus - and was covered with feathers.
It couldn't fly, but could run swiftly across the plains of north China 85 million years ago. It was eight metres long, five metres tall and weighed about 1.4 tonnes.
The discovery means the evolutionary path leading dinosaurs towards birds was actually more varied than previously thought, 'China Daily' reported.
Continued- http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=0cd89e94-d00e-4000-84f4-56626add9bba&&Headline=Missing+link+between+dinos+and+birds+foun d
Beijing, June 14, 2007
First Published: 13:31 IST(14/6/2007)
Last Updated: 16:32 IST(14/6/2007)
Chinese scientists have claimed to have discovered a missing link in the evolutionary path between dinosaurs and birds, Gigantoraptor in northern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Gigantoraptor erlianensis had a small head, a beak, slim hind legs, a massive body - the size of a Tyrannosaurus - and was covered with feathers.
It couldn't fly, but could run swiftly across the plains of north China 85 million years ago. It was eight metres long, five metres tall and weighed about 1.4 tonnes.
The discovery means the evolutionary path leading dinosaurs towards birds was actually more varied than previously thought, 'China Daily' reported.
Continued- http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=0cd89e94-d00e-4000-84f4-56626add9bba&&Headline=Missing+link+between+dinos+and+birds+foun d