-
Man-Size Penguin
Illustration courtesy Katie Browne, U.T. Austin
The 36-million-year-old giant penguin species Inkayacu paracasensis stood nearly as tall as a man and sported shades of red and gray (pictured in an artist's reconstruction), scientists announced Thursday. Read the full story >>
Published September 30, 2010
-
Splash of Red
Illustration courtesy Katie Browne, U.T. Austin
Unlike today's black-and-white penguins, the ancient species' leading wing edge was gray, and its underwings were reddish brown, according to study leader Julia Clarke, a paleontologist at the University of Texas at Austin. Read the full story >>
Published September 30, 2010
-
Fossil Clues
Diagram courtesy Science/AAAS
Fossils found in Peru in 2007 (pictured) enabled scientists to imagine the intact skeleton (inset) of the ancient penguin species. Read the full story >>
Published September 30, 2010
-
In Fine Feather
Photograph courtesy N. Adam Smith, U.T. Austin
Researcher Julia Clarke (pictured) recently helped recover wing feathers and smaller body feathers from fossils of the extinct, 5-foot-tall (150-centimeter-tall) penguin species. Today's biggest living penguin species, the emperor, is just under 4 feet (120 centimeters) tall. Read the full story >>
Published September 30, 2010
-
True Colors
Photograph courtesy Science/AAAS
The team made the feather-color discovery when they compared microscopic pigment packets, called melanosomes, in the fossil feathers (pictured) to melanosomes of modern birds and penguins. Based on the fossil melanosomes' shapes, size, and organization, the scientists were able to infer the feathers' original colors. Read the full story >>
Published September 30, 2010
-
Spreading Their Wings
Diagram courtesy Science/AAAS
The penguin study, published this week in the journal Science, marks the first time feathers (top, a photo of the wing-feather fossil) and preserved scales from an ancient penguin have been found. As part of the research, scientists took samples of the from various locations on the wing (marked as red dots in the above line drawing). Read the full story >>
Published September 30, 2010
-
Penguin Hunting
Photograph courtesy N. Adam Smith
Researchers work at the Peru fossil site in an undated photo. Inkayacu paracasensis was found relatively near at least two other giant prehistoric penguins. Read the full story >>
Published September 30, 2010
News Video
Trending News
-
Photos: New, "Incredible" Species Found
Bug-eyed frog and "Chewbacca bat" among 1,200 newly discovered species in Africa.
-
Sky-Show Alert: Prime-Time Saturn View
Armchair astronomers can see a live web broadcast of Saturn this week and pose for a snapshot of Earth from space next month.
-
Cities Compost Food Waste
New York City amps up food recycling, while San Francisco shows the way.
Advertisement
News Blogs
-
Explorer Moment: Ray of Hope
Biologist Andrea Marshall leads her team in discovering new and conserving known manta ray species.
-
Sylvia Earle on Women in Science
Sylvia Earle reflects on her scientific career and on gender obstacles she faced along the way.
ScienceBlogs Picks
Connect With Nat Geo
Got Something to Share?
Special Ad Section
Great Energy Challenge Blog
- Study Says: Hey, You, Get Onto the Cloud (It Saves Energy)
- Who Will Swelter This Summer? The Pressures on the Nation’s Power Grid
- Tar Sands Tour: Boomtown, Scarecrows, and Spin; “We Have Met the Enemy, and He is Us”
- Climate Change: China, U.S. Bring Toy Fire Truck to Seven-Alarm Fire
- Student Infographic Contest Paints Bright Picture of Youth Concern on Energy and Climate
Sustainable Earth
-
Help Save the Colorado River
NG's new Change the Course campaign launches.
-
New Models for Fishing
Future of Fish is helping fishermen improve their bottom line while better managing stocks for the future.
-
Can Pesticides Grow Organic Crops?
The Change Reaction blog investigates in California.
