Closest Ancestor To Dinosaurs

Introduction

The search for the closest ancestor to dinosaurs has been a significant focus in paleontology, aiming to understand the evolutionary lineage and characteristics that led to the rise of these iconic reptiles. Recent research has provided insights into the early ancestors of dinosaurs, their evolutionary traits, and the timeline of their divergence.

Key Insights

Primitive Dinosaur Ancestors:
- The discovery of Eoraptor lunensis, a primitive dinosaur from the Upper Triassic of Argentina, suggests it is close to the common dinosaurian ancestor. Eoraptor's features indicate a rapid divergence of dinosaurs from a small-bodied common ancestor .
Basal Dinosauromorphs:
- Middle Triassic dinosauromorphs such as Marasuchus, Lagerpeton, and Dromomeron, along with silesaurids, are considered immediate sister taxa to dinosaurs. These forms provide crucial insights into the early stages of dinosaur evolution.
Genomic Evidence:
- Genomic studies infer that the diapsid common ancestor, which predates the divergence of turtles and birds, had a stable genomic structure that remained largely unchanged through the dinosaur-theropod lineage leading to modern birds. This suggests a highly stable genomic organization contributing to phenotypic diversity.
Miniaturization Event:
- The discovery of Kongonaphon kely, a tiny ornithodiran from the Triassic of Madagascar, indicates a significant miniaturization event near the common ancestor of dinosaurs and pterosaurs. This small body size may have been a crucial factor in the evolution of flight in pterosaurs and other traits in early dinosaurs.

Conclusion

The closest ancestors to dinosaurs are likely small-bodied, bipedal dinosauromorphs from the Middle Triassic, such as Marasuchus and Lagerpeton. The discovery of Eoraptor lunensis and Kongonaphon kely supports the idea of a rapid divergence from a small common ancestor, with significant evolutionary traits such as miniaturization playing a key role. Genomic evidence further suggests a stable genomic structure that facilitated diverse evolutionary adaptations.

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Summary

Not a yes or no question

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Primitive dinosaur skeleton from Argentina and the early evolution of Dinosauria

The origin and early evolution of dinosaurs

Reconstruction of the diapsid ancestral genome permits chromosome evolution tracing in avian and non-avian dinosaurs

A tiny ornithodiran archosaur from the Triassic of Madagascar and the role of miniaturization in dinosaur and pterosaur ancestry

Increases in sampling support the southern Gondwanan hypothesis for the origin of dinosaurs

Archaeopteryx and the origin of birds

The origin and early evolution of birds

Synchrotron scanning reveals amphibious ecomorphology in a new clade of bird-like dinosaurs

Osteohistology of the silesaurid Sacisaurus agudoensis from southern Brazil (Late Triassic) and implications for growth in early dinosaurs.

A large, short-armed, winged dromaeosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Early Cretaceous of China and its implications for feather evolution

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