JOURNAL ARTICLE

An ancestor of ducks and geese paddled and dove alongside dinosaurs in Antarctica.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Ortega, Rodrigo Pérez 3 of 3

Abstract

The article discusses the discovery of an ancient ancestor of ducks and geese, Vegavis iaai, in Antarctica, shedding light on the evolutionary origins of waterfowl. The exceptionally well-preserved fossilized skull of Vegavis iaai, found in 2011, confirmed its placement within the order of waterfowl and revealed its specialized adaptations for underwater predation. This finding supports the idea that modern birds originated much earlier than previously thought, with some bird groups, including early waterfowl, surviving the mass extinction event that wiped out nonavian dinosaurs. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/02, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Anatomy and Physiology
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:182856414
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