'Big Bang' of bird evolution mapped

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'Big Bang' of bird evolution mapped: Genes reveal deep histories of bird origins, feathers, flight and song

 

The first findings of the Avian Phylogenomics Consortium are being reported nearly simultaneously in 29 papers -- eight papers in a Dec. 12 special issue of Science and 21 more in Genome Biology, GigaScience and other journals. The analyses suggest some remarkable new ideas about bird evolution, including insights into vocal learning and the brain, colored plumage, sex chromosomes and the birds' relationship to dinosaurs and crocodiles.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/12/141211142136.htm