Quote:
Originally Posted by moeloubani
Or it could have evolved from one just like the one in the second link which isn't a dinosaur at all but an offshoot of what probably at one time one species but went on to form many. Something that is much more likely and more reasonable than just saying 'oh maybe it could have come from an earlier dinosaur'.
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It is neither more reasonable nor more likely that the archeopteryx had anything to do with that previously referenced ancient flying reptile or anything similar to it. Proto-birds and modern birds share a number of very specific characteristics with dinosaurs which were themselves a distinct offshoot from other reptiles. Birds most morphologically resemble dinosaurs as opposed to other retiles, specifically coelurosaurian dinosaurs based on many factors including the shape of their hips, the use of feathers and many other elements. Of course, more evidence may indeed shed more light on the details of bird evolution, but the weight of evidence amonst paleontologists at this point in 2010 is for a direct dinosaur to bird lineage. As it is with science, new evidence may shed more light. An interesting article:
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/diapsids/avians.html