A massive asteroid impact 66 million years ago, which led to the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs, also left a profound mark on the evolution of birds, according to a new study. Researchers have uncovered genetic evidence that the catastrophic event not only ended the reign of the dinosaurs but also triggered significant evolutionary changes in the ancestors of modern birds, shaping their development and survival.
The study, conducted by scientists from the University of Michigan and the University of Cambridge, reveals that the asteroid’s impact caused dramatic shifts in the DNA of early birds, leading to key changes in their size, metabolism, and hatchling development. These changes allowed birds to adapt and diversify in a post-apocalyptic world, eventually giving rise to the more than 10,000 bird species that exist today.
Using advanced genomic analysis, the researchers identified that within 3 to 5 million years after the extinction event, there were significant shifts in the composition of bird genomes. These shifts were linked to the evolution of smaller adult body sizes and the emergence of more dependent, featherless hatchlings that required extensive parental care a stark contrast to their dinosaur ancestors.
The findings, published in Science Advances, highlight the deep and lasting impact of mass extinction events on the evolutionary trajectory of life on Earth. The study underscores how the asteroid impact not only wiped out the dominant species of the time but also set the stage for the rise of birds as a dominant class of animals, influencing the course of life on our planet in ways that are still evident in the genomes of birds today.
This research provides new insights into how catastrophic events can reshape the biological world, offering a clearer understanding of the evolutionary processes that have shaped the diversity of life on Earth.
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