Penguins might have outlived dinosaurs

April 12, 2006 Penguins

Penguin fossils found near Christchurch, New Zealand, suggest a previously unknown genus of ancient penguins may have outlived the dinosaurs.

Ewan Fordyce, a University of Otago paleontologist who helped analyze the fossils that were discovered in the mid 1990s, told National Geographic News DNA and other modern tests suggest the 58-million- to 62-million-year-old bones make a "strong case" that modern birds appeared well before dinosaurs became extinct.

Study co-author David Penny, a geneticist at New Zealand's Massey University, estimates modern birds first appeared around 90 million years ago.

The study describing the ancient penguins and the associated theory of a dinosaur-era origin for modern birds appeared in last month's online issue of the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution.

Rate this story - 4.4 /5 (21 votes)

rank
1
2
3
4
5

view popular

Other News

Political views may skew perception of skin tone, new study finds

Other Sciences / Social Sciences

4 hours ago | 4.5 / 5 (2) | 3

(PhysOrg.com) -- Political affinity could influence how some people view the skin tone of biracial political candidates, according to a new study from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, New York University ...

In College Football, Home Field Advantage Often Overestimated

Other Sciences / Mathematics

4 hours ago | 4 / 5 (1) | 0

This year, many of college football's biggest rivalry games take place over Thanksgiving weekend. A win earns bragging rights for the year. Visiting teams are often thought to be at a considerable disadvantage, especially ...

Thanksgiving Combines Myths, Traditions and Truths, CU Professor Says

Other Sciences / Other

6 hours ago | not rated yet | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Over the centuries Thanksgiving in America has meant many things to many people. What we consider the traditional Thanksgiving holiday today has been around only a few decades, according ...

Highest jobless rate in three decades causes drop in consumer confidence

Other Sciences / Economics

3 hours ago | not rated yet | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Florida's consumer confidence fell three points to 69 in November amid continued concerns over the state?s high unemployment rate, according to a new University of Florida survey.

Strategic management theory offers fresh take on the economic crisis

Other Sciences / Economics

11 hours ago | 4 / 5 (2) | 0

The recent financial crisis and resulting global economic downturn has been the most defining global economic event since the Great Depression. Now research which appears in the November issue of Strategic Organization, publis ...