Question

Archaeopteryx toothed fossil bird occurred during
A. Jurassic
B. Triassic
C. Cretaceous
D. Permian

Answer 1

Hint: Archaeopteryx is an extinct fossil bird. It is represented as the transition zone between dinosaurs and birds by palaeontologists. Archaeopteryx is a combination of two Greek words – archaios that means ancient. Pteryx meaning feather.

Complete answer:
Two species of Archaeopteryx are – Archaeopteryx lithographic and Archaeopteryx simonsii. It is known as the first bird. The feature of Archaeopteryx includes:
- It weighed about 0.8- 1 kg.
- Its size was of a raven bird.
- It had the presence of long wings that were rounded at the ends. It was long and measured about 20 inches.
- It had the presence of sharp teeth, three-fingered claws, and a long bony tail.
- Its flight feathers were asymmetrical in shape.
- Till now only 12 fossil evidence of Archaeopteryx was available. The bird characters of Archaeopteryx include the presence of the flight feathers. The reptilian feathers of this include the presence of the tail and the sharp teeth. This fossil implies that the birds evolved from reptiles. Therefore it is considered as the link between the reptile and the bird.
- Jurassic- It occurred during the Mesozoic era that may be about 199.6 to 145 million years ago. It was the golden age for the herbaceous Dinosaurs that are sauropods such as camarasaurus, Apatosaurus, etc.
- Triassic- It is considered the shortest period of the Mesozoic era. It occurred about 237 million years ago. It mainly had the presence of lizards, crocodilians, reptiles.
- Cretaceous- It is the longest segment of the Mesozoic era. It occurred about 145 to 65 million years ago. The animals like Iguanodon, Ankylosaurus existed during this period.
- Permian – it was about 298 to 252 million years ago. Animals like Edaphosaurus, Dimetrodon, and pelycosaurs were present during this time period.
- Archaeopteryx toothed fossil birds occurred 150 years ago which is the end of the Jurrasic period.
- The correct answer is option A.

Note: The fossil of Archaeopteryx is considered an important one because it became the basis for the study of the origin of birds. It became very important in defining the Darwin subject of evolution.