Ancient Birdlike Footprints Predate Earliest Bird Fossils by 60 Million Years
Analysis of three-toed fossil footprints found in southern Africa reveals that they are the oldest birdlike tracks ever found, predating the earliest known skeletal fossils of birds by about 60 million years. The footprints, likely made by dinosaurs, have birdlike features such as a shorter central digit and narrower toes. However, the identity of the animals that made the tracks remains unknown, leaving their relationship to birds unclear. The discovery provides insight into the morphological diversification of archosaurs during the Triassic Period and contributes to the understanding of dinosaur and bird evolution.