AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -These features make Archaeopteryx a transitional fossil between non-avian dinosaurs and birds. Thus, Archaeopteryx plays an important role in the study of the origin of birds and dinosaurs. The Jurassic period is a geological time scale that spans about 56 million years.

Detailed explanation-2: -Paleontologists view Archaeopteryx as a transitional fossil between dinosaurs and modern birds. With its blend of avian and reptilian features, it was long viewed as the earliest known bird.

Detailed explanation-3: -The discovery supports the idea that Archaeopteryx really is a transitional species between dinosaurs and their bird descendants, and not an evolutionary dead end as has been suggested. Archaeopteryx was first recognised as a species in the 1860s.

Detailed explanation-4: -Archaeopteryx is considered to be the transitional species between reptiles and birds. This is due to the fact that it was found to exhibit the features of both these classes.

Detailed explanation-5: -Basilosaurids and Ambulocetus, among others, are transitional fossils that show a progression of animals who transitioned from terrestrial to sea life. Finally, dinosaur-like fossils such as Archaeopteryx and Confuciusornis appear to have been able to fly, and are transitional fossils to modern day birds.