A 95-million-year-old fossil discovered in South America is the oldest raptor ever found in the southern continents and may have been a relative to modern birds, researchers say.

The rooster-size carnivore, called a Buitreraptor, is part of a group of dinosaurs known as dromaeosaurs. The group includes the famous velociraptors that have been depicted in the Jurassic Park movies.

The Buitreraptor, like the other dromaeosaurs, has birdlike features including long, winglike forelimbs. It is different from other types of dromaeosaurs, however, indicating that it may have learned to fly independent of modern birds.

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Oldest South American Raptor Found (The Washington Post 10/13)
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Newly discovered birdlike dinosaur is oldest raptor ever found in South America (Field Museum 10/12)

Relevant Links:
Nature - http://www.nature.com

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