Fossil found on edge of the roof of the world reveals an owl active during the day 6 million years a
SCI-TECH / DISCOVERY
Fossil found on edge of the roof of the world reveals an owl active during the day 6 million years ago
By Zhang Han
Published: Mar 29, 2022 11:46 PM
A species of diurnal owls was identified from a piece of fossil found on northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in China, giving clues on how the diurnal birds evolved in the mostly nocturnal species.
Most owls living today are nocturnal, giving them a special status in myths of different cultures and symbolize magic due to the popularity of Harry Potter series.
A research team from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences discovered the fossil in good state of preservation. The specimen is close to the northern hawk owl, a medium-sized owl of the northern latitudes, non-migratory and diurnal. The extinct owl belongs to clade Surniini which contains most living diurnal owl species.
A comparison of sclera bones of the Miocene owl and 55 reptiles and 360 birds, including many owls, showed the ancient bird's eyes are less open to light and enable it to see things clear during the day, according to a statement by the institute.
More:
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202203/1257145.shtml
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