Bird embryos lack opposable toe, exhibit dinosaur precurser

[Panich52]

From chicken to dinosaur: Scientists experimentally 'reverse evolution' of perching toe

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sciencedaily/strange_science/~3/UepHyjdo6H0/150522174534.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email

A unique adaptation in the foot of birds is the presence of a thumb-like opposable toe, which allows them to grasp and perch.  However, in their dinosaur ancestors, this toe was small and non- opposable, and did not even touch the ground, resembling the dewclaws of dogs and cats. Remarkably, the embryonic development of birds provides a parallel of this evolutionary history: The toe starts out like their dinosaur ancestors, but then its base (the metatarsal) becomes twisted, making it opposable.