Researchers ponder why new dinosaur species had feathers but could not fly
EDMONTON — The discovery of a new species of bird-like dinosaur is raising questions about the creature’s evolution and why it had feathers when it couldn’t actually fly.
Researchers studying a fossil found in China have determined that Jianianhualong tengi had large feathers associated with aerodynamics, but there’s no evidence that it could get off the ground.
Philip Currie, a University of Alberta paleobiologist, said the species is a missing link between birds and dinosaurs.
“Every time you find a missing link between two animals, you create two new missing links,” Currie said. “We’re looking for the answer as to why there’s a combination of primitive and advanced features.”