A new skin-winged dinosaur from the Jurassic of northeast China

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.

The fossil record documents only a small fraction of all organisms that have ever inhabited Earth. Fossilization is a rare process, and most organisms never become fossils. Moreover, the fossil record only exhibits fossils that have been discovered. Nevertheless, sedimentary rock fossils of long-lived, abundant, hard-bodied organisms dominate the fossil record. These fossils offer valuable information, such as an organism's physical form, behavior, and age. Studying the fossil record helps...

FossilsFossils are preserved remains or traces of organisms that lived in the past. They provide important evidence for understanding the history of life on Earth. By studying fossils, scientists can learn about extinct species, the changes over time, and how life has evolved. Fossils show patterns of gradual change and help identify relationships between ancient and modern species. This information supports the theory of evolution by documenting how life has changed across geological...

Evolution EvidenceHow do we know that species change over time? Scientists use many types of evidence of evolution to show how living things have adapted and evolved. This evidence comes from fossils, anatomy, embryos, molecular data (DNA and proteins), and observing how species adapt today. For example, fossils show how ancient creatures are connected to modern animals, while similarities in bones or DNA reveal common ancestors.All these clues help scientists piece together the story of life...

Jawless FishJawless fish are some of the oldest and most interesting animals on Earth. They show us what early vertebrates (animals with backbones) may have looked like hundreds of millions of years ago. Jawless fish help scientists understand how important features like bones, jaws, and fins developed over time. These fish live in many places today, from freshwater rivers to deep ocean waters. Studying them helps scientists learn about the history of life and how ecosystems have...

Giant Tortoises and Darwin's FinchesGiant tortoises and Darwin’s finches are two famous examples that helped shape the theory of evolution. Charles Darwin observed these animals on the Galápagos Islands during his voyage on the HMS Beagle. He noticed that tortoises from different islands had different shell shapes, adapted to the food and environment of each island. Finches had different beak shapes based on the types of food they ate. These observations showed how species adapt over time to...