Tiny Dinosaur Tracks in South Korea Reveal Early Wing-Assisted Movement
Scientists have uncovered a remarkable set of dinosaur tracks in South Korea that date back 120 million years. These tiny impressions, found during the construction of a shopping centre, provide a rare glimpse into the evolutionary process that led some dinosaurs to take advantage of their wings—not for flying, but for assisting with running and leaping.
The tracks were left by a small, feathered raptor species known as Dromaeosauriformipes rarus, a close relative of the famous Velociraptor. According to scientists, the creature likely used its wings to assist in covering ground with long leaps. This discovery sheds light on how wing-assisted movement evolved in dinosaurs, predating the full flight capabilities seen in modern birds.
A Significant Discovery in Dinosaur Evolution
Alexander Dececchi, a paleontologist from Dakota State University, highlighted the importance of the discovery, noting that “It’s pretty rare to find these kinds of [pre-flight] tracks, and then to find them in an animal that’s not even a bird – that’s pretty special.”
The study of these tracks suggests that, while Dromaeosauriformipes was not capable of full flight, it likely used its wings for aerodynamics while running, jumping, or braking—an adaptation that eventually contributed to the evolution of flight in later species.
The Evolution of Flight in Dinosaurs
While most raptors, like the Velociraptor, belonged to a group called dromaeosaurids, their evolutionary line split around 170 million years ago. Some evolved into avian dinosaurs, the ancestors of today’s birds, while others remained non-avian. Michael Pittman, a researcher at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, noted that although many of these dinosaurs had feathers, most lacked the wingspan necessary to take flight. However, studies of fossil tracks worldwide have hinted at a more complex story.
“I think the vast majority of feathered dinosaurs were probably doing what this guy was doing – using the wings to augment running, jumping, braking, and turning,” Pittman explained.
The Impact of the Discovery
The discovery of these tracks in South Korea has added another piece to the puzzle of how flight and wing-assisted movement evolved. It also underscores the diversity in how dinosaurs used their wings. Romain Pintore, from the French National Museum of Natural History, explained, “This is really a mosaic kind of evolution when it comes to wings and flying. It’s not a matter of, ‘you don’t have it’ and then ‘you have it.’ We really have to zoom out to see how some characteristics evolved in their own path.”
This discovery is yet another example of how paleontology is constantly evolving, giving scientists new ways to look at the distant past. As researchers continue to uncover more dinosaur tracks and fossils, the story of evolution becomes clearer, showing how different species adapted over millions of years.
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