UsefulLinks
Biology
Paleontology
Dinosaurs
1. Introduction to Dinosaurs
2. The World of the Dinosaurs
3. Dinosaur Anatomy and Physiology
4. Dinosaur Classification and Diversity
5. Dinosaur Behavior and Life History
6. The Study of Dinosaurs
7. The Great Extinction
8. The Living Legacy
8.
The Living Legacy
8.1.
The Dinosaur-Bird Link
8.1.1.
Fossil Evidence
8.1.1.1.
Archaeopteryx
8.1.1.1.1.
Transitional Features
8.1.1.1.2.
Flight Capabilities
8.1.1.1.3.
Evolutionary Significance
8.1.1.2.
Feathered Dinosaurs of China
8.1.1.2.1.
Sinosauropteryx
8.1.1.2.1.1.
First Feathered Dinosaur
8.1.1.2.1.2.
Simple Filaments
8.1.1.2.1.3.
Color Preservation
8.1.1.2.2.
Microraptor
8.1.1.2.2.1.
Four-winged Dinosaur
8.1.1.2.2.2.
Gliding Adaptations
8.1.1.2.2.3.
Arboreal Lifestyle
8.1.1.2.3.
Anchiornis
8.1.1.2.3.1.
Black Coloration
8.1.1.2.3.2.
Wing Structure
8.1.1.2.3.3.
Temporal Significance
8.1.1.3.
Other Transitional Forms
8.1.1.3.1.
Confuciusornis
8.1.1.3.2.
Jeholornis
8.1.1.3.3.
Sapeornis
8.1.2.
Shared Anatomical Features
8.1.2.1.
Wishbone
8.1.2.1.1.
Structural Function
8.1.2.1.2.
Flight Mechanics
8.1.2.1.3.
Evolutionary Origin
8.1.2.2.
Hollow Bones
8.1.2.2.1.
Weight Reduction
8.1.2.2.2.
Air Sac System
8.1.2.2.3.
Respiratory Efficiency
8.1.2.3.
Hip Structure
8.1.2.3.1.
Pelvic Modifications
8.1.2.3.2.
Locomotory Adaptations
8.1.2.3.3.
Evolutionary Transitions
8.1.2.4.
Wrist Structure
8.1.2.4.1.
Folding Mechanism
8.1.2.4.2.
Wing Support
8.1.2.4.3.
Grasping Function
8.1.2.5.
Three-Fingered Hand
8.1.2.5.1.
Digit Reduction
8.1.2.5.2.
Functional Specialization
8.1.2.5.3.
Evolutionary Pathway
8.1.2.6.
Air Sacs in Bones
8.1.2.6.1.
Respiratory System
8.1.2.6.2.
Weight Reduction
8.1.2.6.3.
Metabolic Efficiency
8.2.
The Evolution of Flight
8.2.1.
Theories of Flight Origin
8.2.1.1.
Trees-Down Hypothesis
8.2.1.1.1.
Arboreal Lifestyle
8.2.1.1.2.
Gliding Transition
8.2.1.1.3.
Wing Development
8.2.1.2.
Ground-Up Hypothesis
8.2.1.2.1.
Cursorial Origin
8.2.1.2.2.
Wing-assisted Running
8.2.1.2.3.
Predatory Behavior
8.2.1.3.
Wing-assisted Incline Running
8.2.1.3.1.
Intermediate Model
8.2.1.3.2.
Escape Behavior
8.2.1.3.3.
Gradual Development
8.2.2.
Wing Structure and Function
8.2.2.1.
Feather Aerodynamics
8.2.2.1.1.
Lift Generation
8.2.2.1.2.
Thrust Production
8.2.2.1.3.
Control Surfaces
8.2.2.2.
Wing Loading
8.2.2.2.1.
Size Constraints
8.2.2.2.2.
Flight Performance
8.2.2.2.3.
Evolutionary Trade-offs
8.2.3.
Evolution of Feathers for Flight
8.2.3.1.
Structural Modifications
8.2.3.1.1.
Asymmetric Vanes
8.2.3.1.2.
Barbule Arrangements
8.2.3.1.3.
Shaft Strength
8.2.3.2.
Functional Transitions
8.2.3.2.1.
Display to Flight
8.2.3.2.2.
Thermoregulation to Aerodynamics
8.2.3.2.3.
Evolutionary Pathways
8.3.
Modern Birds as Living Dinosaurs
8.3.1.
Diversity of Modern Birds
8.3.1.1.
Species Numbers
8.3.1.2.
Ecological Roles
8.3.1.3.
Global Distribution
8.3.2.
Avian Adaptations
8.3.2.1.
Flight Specializations
8.3.2.2.
Feeding Adaptations
8.3.2.3.
Reproductive Strategies
8.3.3.
Ongoing Evolution and Speciation
8.3.3.1.
Adaptive Radiations
8.3.3.2.
Island Evolution
8.3.3.3.
Human Impact
8.3.4.
Conservation Implications
8.3.4.1.
Dinosaur Heritage
8.3.4.2.
Evolutionary Significance
8.3.4.3.
Protection Strategies
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7. The Great Extinction
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1. Introduction to Dinosaurs