Powered flight potential approached by wide range of close avian relatives but achieved selectively
R. Pei, M. Pittman, P. A. Goloboff, T. A. Dececchi, M. B. Habib, T. G. Kaye, H. C. Larsson, M. A. Norell, S. L. Brusatte, X. Xu
The paper uses phylogenetic analysis and ancestral state reconstruction to estimate flight potential in early birds and their relatives, finding that powered flight potential emerged multiple times from ancestors with high potential.
bioRxiv · Apr 17, 2020 · PreprintPaleontology