Creature found in antarctica
Author: a | 2025-04-25
Scientists Stumped By Strange Creatures Found In Antarctica scientists creature antarctica ice. A frightening creature has been found in Antarctica. Get ready to meet 13 of the most bizarre creatures found in the icy waters of Antarctica. Watch until th
THIS WAS FOUND IN ANTARCTICA! A CREATURE is
This Terrifying Alien-Like Creature With 20 Arms Was Just Found In The Depths Of The Antarctic Ocean The Promachocrinus fragarius, or Antarctic strawberry feather star, sports around 20 feather-like arms for navigation and additional clawed tendrils used for crawling along the ocean floor. Greg Rouse/Scripps Institution of OceanographyThe Antarctic strawberry feather star is one of eight new species assigned to the genus. Marine scientists have recently confirmed the existence of a new species of invertebrate living in the waters of Antarctica — a terrifying strawberry-like sea creature with 20 arms. Named Promachocrinus fragarius, or “Antarctic strawberry feather star,” this newly discovered sea creature’s name might be something of a shock at first glance. Surely, it doesn’t look much like a strawberry at all. But upon further inspection, the little nub at the base of its 20-something arms does indeed resemble the titular fruit. Greg Rouse, a marine biology professor at the University of California, San Diego, co-authored the study chronicling the discovery of the Antarctic strawberry feather star. Speaking with Insider, Rouse explained that in photographs, the team removed some of the creature’s cirri — the smaller tentacle-like strings protruding from its base — to show off its strawberry-like shape. “We’ve taken away a bunch of the cirri so you can see the parts that they’re attached to, and that’s what looks like a strawberry,” he said. Rouse added that the cirri have small claws at the end, which allow them to hold on to the bottom of the seafloor. Fragarius is from the Latin “fragum,” meaning strawberry.The creature’s arms, meanwhile, are much longer and feathery. As the appendages are a bit more spread out, the creature is able to move elegantly through the ocean waters. The team from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography published their findings in the journal
New CREATURE found in Antarctica
Former writer for the sensational and widely discredited tabloid World Weekly News. Whilst colossal squid certainly exist in the Southern Ocean, the extreme conditions in such a subglacial lake, including the lack of sunlight and extremely cold temperatures, make it highly unlikely for such complex organisms to survive. Microbial life was discovered in Lake Vostok, however, and continues to be found across Antarctica in places previously thought to be devoid of life, so never say never!Mysteries of Antarctica: The Disappearance of Carl Robert DischCompared to other continents, Antarctica doesn’t really boast that many deaths and disappearances: a reflection of how relatively few people spend much time down in this grand polar wilderness. But they’ve happened, for sure: not only due to the harshness of the Antarctic environment, especially in winter, but (in a handful of instances) some cabin-fever crazies within the pressurized confines of a research station.There are unsolved vanishings here on the White Continent, too. A notable example is the case of Carl Robert Disch, a physicist with the U.S. National Bureau of Standards who, in the winter of 1965, was working out of Byrd Station in West Antarctica.On May 8th, he left the radio noise station, presumably to follow the handline linking that structure with the main station complex some 7,000 feet away. This was a commute he’d done many times before. But he never showed up at the main Byrd Station complex.Search parties picked up traces of footprints, which didn’t show any unusual hastened or otherwise panicked-seeming stride. Bad weather, underway when Disch set out from the radio noise station and continuing thereafter, hampered search efforts. No other trace of the young scientist was ever found. Memorial services were held in Antarctica as well as in Disch’s hometown of Monroe, Wisconsin.Perhaps the dark, blizzardy conditions caused Disch to lose his way along the handline. We’ll never know.Other Antarctica Secrets, Mysteries, & Strange PhenomenaWe’ve really only scratched the surface when it comes to Antarctica mysteries and oddities, but fear not: We’ve got more for you to explore on this murky front! Read about, for example, the “ghost ship” Mar Sem Fim here; the crimson outflow of Blood Falls here; and the decidedly unsettling Ice Finger of Death here. Disclaimer Our travel guides are for informational purposes only. While we aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information, Antarctica Cruises makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information in our guides or found by following any link on this site.Antarctica Cruises cannot and will not accept responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies, or for any consequences arising therefrom, including any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the display or use of this information.Creatures found in Antarctica creature explore discovery
Exploratory expedition.Antarctica UFO Sightings, Alien Hideaways, and Pyramids Under AntarcticaBesides the wacky notion that Nazis had obtained extraterrestrial technology to fly UFOs out of their underground base in Antarctica, alien rumors continue to periodically swirl around the bottom of the world.Numerous satellite photographs showing utterly unremarkable features of the White Continent—from ice cracks and nunataks (rock peaks rising out of surrounding ice) to existing research bases and supply convoys—have provoked frenzied talk of UFO crash sites and ice-hidden alien cities.And we have a whole article dedicated to debunking the supposed pyramids discovered in Antarctica, which are simply naturally pyramidal mountains shaped by glacial and freeze-thaw processes.In 1964, a photo of an abandoned lifeboat was captured in a lagoon on one of the most remote islands in the world, Bouvet island. How did it get there?The Bouvet Island LifeboatSet almost midway between the Queen Maud Land coast of Antarctica and the tip of South Africa, Bouvet Island, an uninhabited Norwegian dependency, is the most remote island on Earth. It’s a volcanic landform mostly swaddled in glacial ice, and besides its sheer isolation, iciness, and the roughness of the surrounding Southern Ocean seas, the island’s steep sea cliffs make it tough to access indeed.In 1964, the British Royal Navy’s HMS Protector visited Bouvet Island, and helicopters ferried a survey team under the charge of Lieutenant Commander Allan Crawford ashore. This was on the heels of a volcanic eruption on the island sometime in the mid- to late 1950s that had created a new, low bench of land—named the Nyrøysa—on the northwestern coast.Exploring the Nyrøysa, the survey team found a seal-plied lagoon and, partly waterlogged within it, “a whaler or ship’s lifeboat,” as Crawford described it.While a pair of oars, a 44-gallon barrel, and a copper buoyancy tank were found along the rocky shores of the lagoon, the team could find no human remains or other evidence of human occupation in the vicinity.The lifeboat had no motor or sails and lacked markings, making its presence in that ends-of-the-Earth spot a perplexing mystery. But it had to have come to the island, one way or another, sometime between the eruption that built the Nyrøysa and the 1964 visit by Crawford: a relatively narrow window of time.Another expedition visited the lagoon in 1966, and no mention was made of the lifeboat: lost to the mists of time. It remained an utterly mysterious, though admittedly very obscure, piece of sub-Antarctic arcana until the 2010s, when online researchers tracked down the likely explanation.It turns out that a “scientific reconnaissance vessel” with a Soviet Antarctic whaling fleet, the Slava-9, visited Bouvet Island in late November 1958 and sent a party ashore. Bad weather—a regular occurrence on Bouvet—set in, and the shore party ended up temporarily stranded, hunkering down near Cape Circoncision (to the immediate north of the Nyrøysa).After a few days, a helicopter was able to rescue the crew—apparently leaving that lifeboat behind in the lagoon.The Wilkes Land Gravity AnomalyA gravity anomaly—where there’s a discrepancy between the predicted. Scientists Stumped By Strange Creatures Found In Antarctica scientists creature antarctica ice.‘Strange creatures’ found under Antarctica
The ancestors of modern waterfowl weren’t all that odd. Diving for fish and other prey in the waters of Antarctica, they looked like today’s birds, but were they truly modern?A new paper published today in Nature tells us all about these ancestors of modern-day ducks. Assessing a newly found fossil of Vegavis iaai from the Late Cretaceous around 69 million years ago, the paper confirms the classification of the species as a truly modern bird, not wholly unlike the ducks and geese of today.“Few birds are as likely to start as many arguments among paleontologists as Vegavis,” said Christopher Torres, a study author and a now-professor at the University of the Pacific, according to a press release. “This new fossil is going to resolve a lot of those arguments. Chief among them: Where is Vegavis perched in the bird tree of life?”Modern or Not?Around 20 years ago, a team of paleontologists identified Vegavis iaai for the first time, citing a fossil from Antarctica, around 68 million years to 66 million years old. At the time of the identification, the paleontologists classified the species as a modern bird, but their classification has been controversial and tricky to confirm since. Part of the problem was that all of the fossils that paleontologists had to work with were partial fossils featuring skeletons without skulls. But the newly found fossil changes all that, featuring what the previously found fossils lack. Collected in Antarctica in 2011 as part of the Antarctic Peninsula Paleontology Project, the 69-million-year-old specimen is an almost complete skull, providing new insights into the species’ classification. Featuring a modern-shaped beak and a modern-shaped space for a brain with traits that are consistent with those of waterfowl today, the fossil suggests that the initial classification of Vegavis is a correct one, with the Late-Cretaceous fossil representing one of the earliest modern birds ever discovered. Read More: Prehistoric Bird Brain May Be a Rosetta Stone for Avian EvolutionA Not-So-Odd BirdAccording to the authors of the new paper, the other birds that were around 69 million years ago were strange and not so similar toHumanoid Creatures Found in Antarctica. - YouTube
Was a huge surprise. The last time a penguin was spotted there was 44 years earlier.The people who found Pete named him Happy Feet. They took him to the vet clinic at the Wellington Zoo. He was very weak and his stomach was full of weird stuff like twigs, stones and sand. He had to have a few operations to clear it all out.Happy Feet became a celebrity. People all over the world were very curious about this lost penguin. They followed his progress and came to the zoo to watch him be fed and treated by the doctors.After 10 weeks at the zoo, Happy Feet was put on a ship and dropped off in the cold waters of the ocean 500 miles from where he was found.Happy Feet wore a tracker, but it stopped sending signals 2 weeks after he was dropped off. No one knows what happened to him. Did the tracker fall off? Was Happy Feet killed by a whale? I want to believe that he found his way back to Antarctica, because there’s no place like home.What do you call a penguin in the desert?Lost! How old was Pete when he went missing?/10 months/1 year/2 years/10 monthsIn what country was Pete found?/Arctic/Australia/New Zealand/New ZealandWhere was Pete found?/on a beach/on an iceberg/on a floating raft/on a beachHow long did Happy Feet stay at the zoo?/10 months/1 year/10 weeks/10 weeksHappy Feet swam all the way back to Antarctica./True/False/No one knows./No one knows.Where was Happy Feet taken to get help?/A ship/The Wellington Zoo/The New Zealand Penguin Centre/The Wellington ZooWhy did Happy Feet need operations?/to fix cuts from shark bites/to fix his heart/to remove stuff from his stomach/to remove stuff from his stomachHow did Pete end up 2000 miles away from home?/He swam./He hopped on the back of a whale./No one knows./No one knows.Where did Happy Feet go after the zoo?/to the New Zealand Penguin Centre/on a plane to Antarctica/on a ship to be dropped in the ocean/on a ship to be dropped in the ocean Try this Fun Dolphin Story! If Dolphins Could Talk: Finn's Story ©Courseware Solutions Wordville.comStrangest Creatures Found Living In Antarctica
Them are quite great, with only a few stinkers. Here is a ranking of the best Predator books, including many old classics. Predator vs. Superman: Who Would Win? In this epic clash, we delve into the confrontation between the extraterrestrial hunter, the Predator, and the Man of Steel himself, Superman. While these two characters belong to entirely different universes, they have squared off several times in the crossover comic books. Neomorph: The White Xenomorph Relative Among the various iterations of the monstrous Xenomorph, Alien: Covenant introduced a new and terrifying addition to the family: the Neomorph. Here is the full overview of the Neomorph creature, from its origins to its proposed final fight with the Protomorph that didn't make it to the movie. Big Mama Predator: A Female Yautja Profile Big Mama was the first prominent Female Predator introduced in the expanded Predator lore. Here is the complete overview of the Big Mama Predator, including her complicated relationship with Ash Parnall and the battle against the Hybrid King. The Morality Of Predators: Are Yautja Good Or Evil? The complex moral alignment of the Predators been a subject of debate among fans: are the Yautja good or evil? In this article, we will explore the enigmatic nature of these intergalactic hunters, delving into their motivations and actions, in an attempt to decipher their ethical standing. Other Species That Yautja Hunt: From Amengi To Drukathi The Yautja are renowned for their relentless pursuit of challenging prey. While humans and Xenomorphs are the most famous targets of the Predators, there exist other intelligent species that have found themselves in the crosshairs of the Yautja's infamous laser-sighted weapons. Yautja Feats Of Strength: How Strong Are Predators? Recognized for their advanced technology and hunting skills, one of the defining characteristics is their remarkable physical strength. In this article, we will delve into the awe-inspiring feats of strength exhibited by the Yautja and answer the question: How strong are the Yautja? Celtic Predator: Leader Of The Yautja Young Bloods The Celtic Predator was the leader of the three Young Blood Predators sent to their initiation hunt in Antarctica in the first Alien vs. Predator movie. Here is the full profile of the Celtic Predator, including overviews of his history, weapons, and armor, and appearances in other media. Yautja Emotions: What The Predators Feel In the ruthless world of the Yautja, emotions play a complex and intriguing role. These formidable extraterrestrial hunters are known for their stoicism and warrior code. This article delves into the enigmatic emotions of the Yautja, including pain, fear, anger, hesitation, and mercy. Alien 5: Status Of Neill Blomkamp's Aliens Sequel Directed by Neill Blomkamp, the proposed "Alien 5" generated considerable excitement, eventuallyStrange living creatures found in Antarctica - MercoPress
Recent whistleblower accounts and satellite imagery have sparked discussion among conspiracy theorists and researchers about the possibility of hidden structures and alien bases beneath the ice of Antarctica.Alien Base Entrances and Structures Discovered Under the IceRepeated sightings of UFO activity over AntarcticaBrian, a retired Navy crew member, and others have routinely seen silver UFOs over Antarctica, to the point where the sightings became a casual topic of conversation among flight crews.Giant 300-ft wide hole found at the South Pole, tracks leading insideIn 1985, a medevac flight crew observed a massive hole as wide as a football field with tracks suggesting significant activity, hinting at it being an entrance to a base where humans and aliens might collaborate.Huge 1.2 mile wide pyramid structure precisely aligned to compass pointsResearchers have used satellite images to discover pyramid-like structures in Antarctica, with one particular pyramid spanning 1.2 miles wide and perfectly aligned with the compass points, indicating potential intelligent design.Satellite images show entrance to large cave system with stairs and machinery tracksA Google Earth image from 2007 showed a cave entrance with stairs and discoloration suggesting the use of equipment or machinery. The image was briefly replaced, raising cover-up suspicions among those who saw it.Ruins of ancient temple complex discovered 2 miles down by film crew, video confiscatedA secret US military expedition allegedly found a pyramid temple complex two miles below the ice. The Atlantis TV crew recorded these ruins, but their video was reportedly confiscated, and they failed in their legal attempt to recover it.Door and rooms to 62-acre alien base complex found protruding from iceA Navy SEAL reported finding doors and rooms associated with a 62-acre base complex during a covert mission. The structure included a room covering nine acres, further fueling speculations of advanced civilization remnants in Antarctica.Legends and Theories of Past Advanced Civilizations in AntarcticaLegends and theories persist that advanced civilizations may have thrived in Antarctica when it was ice-free 12,000 years ago. It's suggested that traces of these civilizations could still exist in heated caverns, with possible connections to the legends of Atlantis before it was suddenly encased in ice.Evidence of Ongoing Secret Expeditions and DiscoveriesStrange debriefings of witnesses suggest major discoveries being made but ...Here’s what you’ll find in our full summaryRegistered users get access to the Full Podcast Summary and Additional Materials. It’s easy and free!Start your free trial today. Scientists Stumped By Strange Creatures Found In Antarctica scientists creature antarctica ice.
11 Weirdest Creatures Found In Antarctica - YouTube
I?Answer: A parrot.Riddle: I have a long neck and can reach high branches. What am I?Answer: A giraffe.Riddle: I waddle, I’m black and white, and I live in Antarctica. What am I?Answer: A penguin.Riddle: I’m a slow mover with a protective shell on my back. What am I?Answer: A turtle.Riddle: I’m the king of the jungle. What am I?Answer: A lion.Riddle: I’m the world’s largest land animal, and I have a trunk. What am I?Answer: An elephant.Riddle: I’m black and white and love to eat bamboo. What am I?Answer: A panda.Riddle: I’m a nocturnal creature with big eyes and a silent flight. What am I?Answer: An owl.Riddle: I have a long tail and hang upside down in trees. What am I?Answer: A bat.Riddle: I’m a big cat with a distinctive mane. What am I?Answer: A lion.Riddle: I’m small, furry, and love to burrow. What am I?Answer: A rabbit.Riddle: I’m known for my colourful feathers and beautiful song. What am I?Answer: A bird.Riddle: I live in the ocean, have a sharp dorsal fin, and I’m a great swimmer. What am I?Answer: A shark.Riddle: I’m a big, gentle giant that likes to eat bamboo. What am I?Answer: A panda.Riddle: I’m a social insect that lives in colonies and works together. What am I?Answer: An ant.Riddle: I have a long neck and can reach high branches to eat leaves. What am I?Answer: A giraffe.20 Funny Riddles for Little KidsEngage your little ones with giggles and brain-teasing fun! Explore our collection of funny riddlesThe Strange Creatures Found in Antarctica’s Subglacial Lakes
The Madrid Protocol, in effect since 1998, prohibits mining in Antarctica for 50 years. But what will happen in 2048? ©Candice Gaukel AndrewsAntarctica is the Earth’s only continent without a native human population, and no one country can claim to own it. Unique in the world, it is a land dedicated to science and all nations.However, that could soon change. With the 2048 renewal date for the Madrid Protocol fast approaching, there are already signs that countries may be vying for possession of territory there. Complicating this issue is that as the climate continues to rapidly warm, oil and gas deposits that Antarctica may have—first hinted at in the 1970s—might finally be able to be extracted.The energy needs of the world are increasing. Is thinking that a whole continent can remain dedicated solely to science now unrealistic?Tourists are allowed in Antarctica, if their national programs approve their expeditions. ©Candice Gaukel AndrewsThe Antarctic TreatyBy the 1940s, Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway and the United Kingdom had all claimed sections of Antarctica—although the Argentine, Chilean and British claims partially overlapped. In the 1957-1958 International Geophysical Year, Belgium, Japan, South Africa, the U.S.S.R. (now Russia), the United States and the original claimants met. On December 1, 1959, these 12 countries signed The Antarctic Treaty. In part, the treaty stipulated that:Antarctica is to be used for peaceful purposes only; no military measures are permitted (the treaty does allow, however, some commercial activity: fishing is permitted in certain areas of the Southern Ocean and tourists can visit Antarctica, as long as their expeditions are approved by their national Antarctic programs).Nuclear explosions or dumping of radioactive wastes are banned.There is complete freedom of scientific investigation and cooperation.[optin-monster slug=”cklysp4prnt2xgd9n1kg” followrules=”true”]Claims are “frozen”; no new or enlarged claims are permitted (15 percent of Antarctica is still unclaimed). It does get tricky here: while the original claimants are the only nations allowed to have claims, they can’t assert them. So if, for example, Sweden wants to build a base, it can go to the treaty nations as a whole to present a proposal.A decision-making role is held only by nations carrying out substantive scientific research activity.Today, more than 45 nations are signatories.The management of Antarctica’s biodiversity is addressed in the Madrid Protocol, which will be up for renewal in 2048. ©Candice Gaukel AndrewsPenguins and ice shelvesIn 1991, the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (also known as the Environmental Protocol or Madrid Protocol) was adopted. It entered into force in 1998, and it is the main instrument concerning conservation and management of biodiversity in Antarctica. Notably, it prohibits mining. If requested, however, in 50 years time a review conference could decide to modify the mining. Scientists Stumped By Strange Creatures Found In Antarctica scientists creature antarctica ice.Creature Found in Antarctica Scared Scientists - YouTube
Corner of a creature card, you'll find the creature's power (on the left) and toughness (on the right.)The power is how much damage the creature deals when it attacks. If the creature is not blocked, it deals this damage to the opponent. If it is blocked, it deals this damage to the creature(s) that blocked it. The toughness is how much damage the creature can receive before it is destroyed. In this example, both are two.Just like with the land, the subtypes are relevant to certain cards:In this example, Legion Lieutenant is a creature, a vampire, and a knight. So, cards that mention creatures, like Murder, are relevant. So, too, anything that pertains to vampires (Duskborne Skymarcher) or knights (Garrison Griffin).A mention of the vampire creature type can also be found in Legion Lieutenant's rules text, which grants a +1/+1 boost to the power and toughness of other vampires you have in play. So, if you had a Barony Vampire, a vampire, in play alongside the Lieutenant here, it would go from a 3/2 to a 4/3 thanks to this boost."Flavor text" is found on some cards (of all types) but isn't something you'll see on every single MTG card. The flavor text does not have anything to do with gameplay. Its purpose is to add narrative context and lore to the card's mechanics or theme. Flavor text is always italicized, too, which makes it easier to distinguish from other parts of the card.Instants Instants can be played anytime youComments
This Terrifying Alien-Like Creature With 20 Arms Was Just Found In The Depths Of The Antarctic Ocean The Promachocrinus fragarius, or Antarctic strawberry feather star, sports around 20 feather-like arms for navigation and additional clawed tendrils used for crawling along the ocean floor. Greg Rouse/Scripps Institution of OceanographyThe Antarctic strawberry feather star is one of eight new species assigned to the genus. Marine scientists have recently confirmed the existence of a new species of invertebrate living in the waters of Antarctica — a terrifying strawberry-like sea creature with 20 arms. Named Promachocrinus fragarius, or “Antarctic strawberry feather star,” this newly discovered sea creature’s name might be something of a shock at first glance. Surely, it doesn’t look much like a strawberry at all. But upon further inspection, the little nub at the base of its 20-something arms does indeed resemble the titular fruit. Greg Rouse, a marine biology professor at the University of California, San Diego, co-authored the study chronicling the discovery of the Antarctic strawberry feather star. Speaking with Insider, Rouse explained that in photographs, the team removed some of the creature’s cirri — the smaller tentacle-like strings protruding from its base — to show off its strawberry-like shape. “We’ve taken away a bunch of the cirri so you can see the parts that they’re attached to, and that’s what looks like a strawberry,” he said. Rouse added that the cirri have small claws at the end, which allow them to hold on to the bottom of the seafloor. Fragarius is from the Latin “fragum,” meaning strawberry.The creature’s arms, meanwhile, are much longer and feathery. As the appendages are a bit more spread out, the creature is able to move elegantly through the ocean waters. The team from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography published their findings in the journal
2025-03-31Former writer for the sensational and widely discredited tabloid World Weekly News. Whilst colossal squid certainly exist in the Southern Ocean, the extreme conditions in such a subglacial lake, including the lack of sunlight and extremely cold temperatures, make it highly unlikely for such complex organisms to survive. Microbial life was discovered in Lake Vostok, however, and continues to be found across Antarctica in places previously thought to be devoid of life, so never say never!Mysteries of Antarctica: The Disappearance of Carl Robert DischCompared to other continents, Antarctica doesn’t really boast that many deaths and disappearances: a reflection of how relatively few people spend much time down in this grand polar wilderness. But they’ve happened, for sure: not only due to the harshness of the Antarctic environment, especially in winter, but (in a handful of instances) some cabin-fever crazies within the pressurized confines of a research station.There are unsolved vanishings here on the White Continent, too. A notable example is the case of Carl Robert Disch, a physicist with the U.S. National Bureau of Standards who, in the winter of 1965, was working out of Byrd Station in West Antarctica.On May 8th, he left the radio noise station, presumably to follow the handline linking that structure with the main station complex some 7,000 feet away. This was a commute he’d done many times before. But he never showed up at the main Byrd Station complex.Search parties picked up traces of footprints, which didn’t show any unusual hastened or otherwise panicked-seeming stride. Bad weather, underway when Disch set out from the radio noise station and continuing thereafter, hampered search efforts. No other trace of the young scientist was ever found. Memorial services were held in Antarctica as well as in Disch’s hometown of Monroe, Wisconsin.Perhaps the dark, blizzardy conditions caused Disch to lose his way along the handline. We’ll never know.Other Antarctica Secrets, Mysteries, & Strange PhenomenaWe’ve really only scratched the surface when it comes to Antarctica mysteries and oddities, but fear not: We’ve got more for you to explore on this murky front! Read about, for example, the “ghost ship” Mar Sem Fim here; the crimson outflow of Blood Falls here; and the decidedly unsettling Ice Finger of Death here. Disclaimer Our travel guides are for informational purposes only. While we aim to provide accurate and up-to-date information, Antarctica Cruises makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information in our guides or found by following any link on this site.Antarctica Cruises cannot and will not accept responsibility for any omissions or inaccuracies, or for any consequences arising therefrom, including any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the display or use of this information.
2025-04-12The ancestors of modern waterfowl weren’t all that odd. Diving for fish and other prey in the waters of Antarctica, they looked like today’s birds, but were they truly modern?A new paper published today in Nature tells us all about these ancestors of modern-day ducks. Assessing a newly found fossil of Vegavis iaai from the Late Cretaceous around 69 million years ago, the paper confirms the classification of the species as a truly modern bird, not wholly unlike the ducks and geese of today.“Few birds are as likely to start as many arguments among paleontologists as Vegavis,” said Christopher Torres, a study author and a now-professor at the University of the Pacific, according to a press release. “This new fossil is going to resolve a lot of those arguments. Chief among them: Where is Vegavis perched in the bird tree of life?”Modern or Not?Around 20 years ago, a team of paleontologists identified Vegavis iaai for the first time, citing a fossil from Antarctica, around 68 million years to 66 million years old. At the time of the identification, the paleontologists classified the species as a modern bird, but their classification has been controversial and tricky to confirm since. Part of the problem was that all of the fossils that paleontologists had to work with were partial fossils featuring skeletons without skulls. But the newly found fossil changes all that, featuring what the previously found fossils lack. Collected in Antarctica in 2011 as part of the Antarctic Peninsula Paleontology Project, the 69-million-year-old specimen is an almost complete skull, providing new insights into the species’ classification. Featuring a modern-shaped beak and a modern-shaped space for a brain with traits that are consistent with those of waterfowl today, the fossil suggests that the initial classification of Vegavis is a correct one, with the Late-Cretaceous fossil representing one of the earliest modern birds ever discovered. Read More: Prehistoric Bird Brain May Be a Rosetta Stone for Avian EvolutionA Not-So-Odd BirdAccording to the authors of the new paper, the other birds that were around 69 million years ago were strange and not so similar to
2025-04-14