More Changes in Dinosaur-to-Bird Evolution

One of the principles of science is that when observed facts do not fit the theory, then if the theory cannot be reasonably modified, it should be discarded. In that regard, evolution itself should have been discarded a century ago. Other conjectures within goo-to-you evolution are also held fast despite the evidence.

Image derived from Dinosaur and Bird clip art at Clckr.com

There was the sensationalistic story about an Edmontosaurus having an appendage on its head. To some, it looked like a rooster's comb, therefore, proof that dinosaurs evolved into birds. Except that not only was this desperate homology, but it was the wrong kind of dinosaur to fit the theory. Bird fossils are found with dinosaur fossils, and dinosaurs ate birds. Too many problems, not all evolutionary scientists believe that birds evolved into dinosaurs, plus lack of explanations for what is observed — but some people still still insist.

Now the dino-to-bird as well as the origin of flight evolutionary guesswork is further threatened.

It takes more to turn a dinosaur into a bird than changing arm and leg ratios and reducing body size.

The summary of an article on Science Daily foretells what it will try to explain:

The key characteristics of birds which allow them to fly — their wings and their small size — arose much earlier than previously thought, according to new research that examined closely the Paraves, the first birds, and their closest dinosaurian relatives which lived 160 to 120 million years ago. Researchers investigated the rates of evolution of the two key characteristics that preceded flight: body size and forelimb length. In order to fly, hulking meat-eating dinosaurs had to shrink in size and grow much longer arms to support their feathered wings.

The article promised “New insights into origin of birds” by focusing on “key characteristics that preceded flight: Body size, forelimb length.” A little reflection makes it clear, though, that smaller size and shrinkage of forelimbs is not going to help a dinosaur caught falling out of a tree or running along the ground, assuming the two leading theories about the origin of flight (arboreal vs. cursorial). A small rock with long arms drops at the same rate as a large rock with short arms.

You can see what the flap is about by reading the rest of "Story on Evolution of Birds Glosses Over Details".