Archaeopteryx

Archaeopteryx is a theropod dinosaur that is closely related to birds. It is the first dinosaur who could fly or do something like flying. Archaeopteryx lived in the Late Jurassic in Germany. Archaeopteryx was only 50 centimeters long. It was  size of a raven.


Unlike modern birds Archaeopteryx had small teeth and many other theropod characteristics. It was discovered in 1861. Archaeopteryx is probably a direct ancestor of modern birds.


The body plumage of Archaeopteryx is less well documented and has only been properly researched in the well-preserved Berlin specimen. Thus, as more than one species seems to be involved, the research into the Berlin specimen's feathers does not necessarily hold true for the rest of the species of Archaeopteryx. In the Berlin specimen, there are "trousers" of well-developed feathers on the legs; some of these feathers seem to have a basic contour feather structure but are somewhat decomposed. 




However, in part they are firm and thus capable of supporting flight. Archaeopteryx wings were quite large, which would have resulted in a low stall speed. The first detailed study of the hind wings by Longrich in 2006 suggested that the structures formed up to 12% of the total airfoil. This would have reduced stall speed by up to 6% and turning radius by up to 12%.


Over the years, eleven body fossil specimens of Archaeopteryx and a feather that may belong to it have been found. All of the fossils come from the limestone deposits, quarried for centuries, near Solnhofen, Germany.