Claire Thompson
The idea that chickens are the closest living relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex is a widely circulated claim. This notion draws a comparison between dinosaurs and their living descendants. While chickens are indeed related to the T. rex, they are not its closest relative. Instead, all birds are equally closely related to the T. rex, including chickens, penguins, ostriches, hawks, hummingbirds, and parrots. This understanding of the relationship between dinosaurs and birds is supported by molecular analysis and anatomical similarities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Closest living relatives of Tyrannosaurus rex | Birds such as chickens, ostriches, penguins, hawks, hummingbirds, parrots, and alligators |
| T. rex collagen similarity | Chickens and ostriches |
| T. rex collagen second closest match | Alligators |
| T. rex phylogenetic tree position | Between alligators and chickens and ostriches |
| T. rex group | Theropods |
| Theropod characteristics | Two-legged, meat-eating dinosaurs with hollow bones and three-toed limbs |
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What You'll Learn
T. rex's closest living relatives are birds
It is true that chickens are related to T. rex. However, it is misleading to say that chickens are T. rex's closest living relative. In fact, all birds are the closest living relatives of the T. rex. This includes chickens and ostriches, penguins, hawks, hummingbirds, parrots, and every other bird alive today.
The dinosaur-ness of birds has long been suspected based on anatomical similarities. For example, many theropods, including close relatives of the T. rex, had feathers. Over time, these feathers evolved to enable flight in smaller theropod species. While the T. rex itself likely didn't have full feathers, scientists theorize that it may have had a downy coat as a juvenile.
In 2008, molecular analysis of a shred of 68-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex protein confirmed that dinosaurs share common ancestry with chickens, ostriches, and to a lesser extent, alligators. The analysis, published in the journal Science, was the first use of molecular data to place a non-avian dinosaur in a phylogenetic tree that traces the evolution of species.
In addition to molecular evidence, the link between T. rex and birds is supported by anatomical similarities. Both T. rex and birds are united by the anatomy of their hips, features of their skulls, and the fact that they had hollow bones. These traits adapted over time to fit different ways of life as each group separated from one another. While T. rex used the hollow air spaces in its bones as scaffolding to support a bulkier body, ancient birds used them to lighten their load and take flight.
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All birds are equally closely related to T. rex
The idea that chickens are the closest living relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) is a common misconception. While chickens are indeed related to the T. rex, they are not the only bird species that shares this distinction. In fact, all birds are equally closely related to the T. rex. This includes not just chickens but also ostriches, penguins, hawks, hummingbirds, parrots, and every other bird species alive today.
This relationship between birds and the T. rex was initially suspected due to anatomical and skeletal similarities between the two groups. For example, both T. rex and birds belong to a group of dinosaurs known as theropods, characterized by hollow bones and three-toed limbs. Additionally, many theropods, including close relatives of the T. rex, had feathers, further reinforcing the link between dinosaurs and birds.
The hypothesis that birds are the closest living relatives of the T. rex was later confirmed through molecular analysis. In 2008, researchers performed a molecular analysis of a 68-million-year-old T. rex protein along with proteins from 21 modern species. The results showed that the T. rex protein grouped most closely with birds, specifically ostriches and chickens, providing the first molecular evidence for the evolutionary relationship between non-avian dinosaurs and birds.
However, it's important to note that the available data is limited, and with more data, the T. rex branch on the phylogenetic tree may be placed between alligators and birds, rather than definitively within the bird group. Nonetheless, the current evidence strongly suggests that all birds, not just chickens, are equally closely related to the T. rex.
This relationship between birds and the T. rex highlights the incredible diversity that can arise over millions of years of evolution. It also underscores the importance of understanding the nuances of evolutionary relationships, as they provide valuable insights into the processes of evolution and the complex history of life on our planet.
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Chickens are dinosaurs
The idea that chickens are dinosaurs stems from the broader theory that modern-day birds are the closest living relatives of dinosaurs. This theory has been supported by molecular analysis of a shred of 68-million-year-old Tyrannosaurus rex protein, which confirmed that dinosaurs share common ancestry with chickens, ostriches, and to a lesser extent, alligators. The analysis, published in the journal Science, represents the first use of molecular data to place a non-avian dinosaur in a phylogenetic tree that traces the evolution of species.
Further evidence for the link between chickens and dinosaurs comes from anatomical similarities. Both chickens and dinosaurs belong to a group known as theropods, characterized by hollow bones and three-toed limbs. Additionally, many theropods, including close relatives of T. rex, had feathers, which scientists theorize may have been a transitional feature between scaly dinosaurs and fully-feathered birds.
While it is true that chickens are dinosaurs, it is important to note that they are not the only modern-day birds that share this distinction. All birds are equally closely related to T. rex, including penguins, ostriches, hawks, hummingbirds, and parrots. Therefore, while the claim that "the chicken is the closest living relative to T. rex" has been widely circulated, it is a misleading statement. The correct statement would be that all birds, including chickens, are the closest living relatives of T. rex.
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T. rex and chicken are kin
It is true: chickens are the closest living relatives of the Tyrannosaurus rex. But it's not just chickens—it's all birds. Penguins, ostriches, hawks, hummingbirds, parrots, and every other bird alive today are equally closely related to the T. rex.
The link between dinosaurs and birds has long been suspected due to their anatomical similarities. For example, both T. rex and birds are therapods, a clade characterized by hollow bones and three-toed limbs. Many theropods, including close relatives of T. rex, also sported feathers, which evolved over time to enable flight in smaller species.
In 2007, molecular evidence of this link was discovered. Scientists compared collagen, a structural protein, from a 68-million-year-old T. rex fossil with that of 21 modern species, including humans, chimps, mice, chickens, ostriches, alligators, and salmon. The results showed that the T. rex collagen was most similar to that of chickens and ostriches, providing the first molecular evidence of the link between dinosaurs and birds.
This discovery transformed how we view chickens and other birds, which can now be seen as "tiny dinosaurs". It also sheds light on the biology, behavior, and ecology of extinct dinosaurs, demonstrating the incredible diversity and twists and turns of evolution.
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T. rex is more closely related to birds than other dinosaurs
The idea that chickens are the closest living relative of the Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex) is a common misconception. In reality, all modern-day birds are the closest living relatives of the T. rex. This includes chickens, but also ostriches, penguins, hawks, hummingbirds, parrots, and every other bird alive today.
This conclusion is supported by molecular analysis of a shred of 68-million-year-old T. rex protein, along with that of 21 modern species, which confirmed that dinosaurs share common ancestry with birds. The T. rex's collagen was found to be most similar to that of chickens and ostriches, with its next closest match being alligators.
The link between T. rex and birds was also suggested by anatomical similarities. Both T. rex and birds belong to a group of dinosaurs known as theropods, characterized by hollow bones and three-toed limbs. Many theropods, including close relatives of T. rex, also sported feathers, which evolved over time to enable flight in smaller species.
While the T. rex used the hollow spaces in its bones as scaffolding to support a bulkier body, ancient birds used them to reduce their weight and take flight. This diversity in the uses of hollow bones is limited to one of three main branches of the dinosaur family tree. Despite their differences, the T. rex and birds share an undeniable bond, and the legacy of the T. rex lives on in the birds we see today.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes and no. All birds are the closest living relatives of the T-Rex, not just chickens.
Both chickens and T-Rexes are theropods, meaning they are two-legged, meat-eating dinosaurs with hollow bones and three-toed limbs.
Other theropods include Velociraptor, Dilophosaurus, and Spinosaurus.
Scientists retrieved molecules of collagen, a structural protein, from a 68-million-year-old fossil femur discovered in 2003. They compared the dinosaur collagen with that of 21 living animals, including humans, chimps, mice, chickens, ostriches, alligators, and salmon. The T-Rex collagen proved to be most similar to chickens and ostriches.
This discovery highlights the breadth evolution can cover over millennia and the twists and turns it can take along the way. It also provides insight into the biology, behaviour, and ecology of extinct dinosaurs.
