Iridescent, feathered dinosaur offers fresh evidence that feathers evolved to attract mates

Thursday, March 8, 2012 - 15:30 in Paleontology & Archaeology

Researchers have revealed that the small, feathered dinosaur Microraptor had a glossy iridescent sheen like a modern crow and that its tail was narrow and adorned with a pair of streamer feathers, suggesting feathers originally evolved for display, rather than flight. The new fossil is the earliest record of iridescent color in feathers.

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