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47-Million-Year-Old Owl Fossil Sheds Light on Nocturnal Evolution
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What Happened?
A fossil of a tiny owl, Masillastrix blattophaga, from 47 million years ago reveals insights into when owls became predominantly nocturnal. Found in Germany, the fossil includes the remains of its last meal, an iridescent cockroach.
Key points
- The owl lived during the Eocene epoch, approximately 47 million years ago.
- The fossil was discovered at Messel Pit in Germany, known for well-preserved remains.
- The owl's stomach contained a greenish-blue, iridescent cockroach, suggesting daytime hunting.
- The structure of the owl's upper-wing bones indicates it may have been diurnal.
- The transition to nocturnal behavior likely occurred between 47 and 35 million years ago.
- The oldest known owl fossils date back to around 60 million years ago.
Key insights
- The fossil suggests that some ancient owls were active during the day, challenging previous assumptions about their behavior.
- Understanding the transition to nocturnal behavior may provide insights into ecological changes during the Eocene.
- Further discoveries could reveal more about the evolutionary adaptations of owls over millions of years.
Why it matters
This discovery helps clarify the timeline of when owls became nocturnal, contributing to our understanding of avian evolution.
Tags
Entities
Masillastrix blattophaga· SpeciesGermany· CountryCurrent Biology· Journal
Source
Times of India
