A paper published in Nature Magazine by researchers Christian Foth, Helmut Tischlinger and Oliver W. M. Rauhut, "describe a new specimen [fossil] of Archaeopteryx with extensive feather preservation, not only on the wings and tail, but also on the body and legs." The group's research also confirms what others have found, that dinosaurs developed feathers not for flight but for display. Looking at the genetics, it appears that scientists must explore further to fully define birds' origin of flight.
Source: Nature 511, 79–82 (03 July 2014)
Photo by Tim/Flickr Creative Commons
