climbing large trees, these seem to have been mostly absent from the islands; few trunks have been found in the sediments and fossilized tree pollen also is absent. The lifestyle of Archaeopteryx is difficult to reconstruct and there are several theories regarding it. Some researchers suggest that it was primarily adapted to life on the ground, while other researchers suggest that it was principally arboreal on the basis of the curvature of the claws which has since been questioned. The absence of trees does not preclude Archaeopteryx from an arboreal lifestyle, as several species of bird live exclusively in low shrubs. Various aspects of the morphology of Archaeopteryx point to either an arboreal or ground existence, including the length of its legs and the elongation in its feet; some authorities consider it likely to have been a generalist capable of feeding in both shrubs and open ground, as well as along the shores of the lagoon. It most likely hunted small prey, seizing it with its jaws if it was small enough, or with its claws if it was larger. See also Evolution of birds Feathered dinosaurs Origin of birds Ostromia Rhamphorhynchus Temporal paradox (paleontology) Xiaotingia References Further reading G. R. de Beer (1954). Archaeopteryx lithographica: a study based upon the British Museum specimen. Trustees of the British Museum, London. P. Chambers (2002). Bones of Contention: The Fossil that Shook Science. John Murray, London. . A. Feduccia (1996). The Origin and Evolution of Birds. Yale University Press, New Haven. . Heilmann, G. (1926). The Origin of Birds. Witherby, London. T. H. Huxley. (1871). Manual of the anatomy of vertebrate animals. London. H. von Meyer (1861). Archaeopterix lithographica (Vogel-Feder) und Pterodactylus von Solenhofen. . 1861: 678–679, plate V. [Article in German]. Full text, Google Books. P. Shipman (1998). Taking Wing: Archaeopteryx and the Evolution of Bird Flight. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London. . P. Wellnhofer (2008). Archaeopteryx — Der Urvogel von Solnhofen (in German). Verlag Friedrich Pfeil, Munich. . External links All About Archaeopteryx, from Talk.Origins. Use of SSRL X-ray takes 'transformative glimpse' — A look at chemicals linking birds and dinosaurs. Archaeopteryx: An Early Bird — University of California Museum of Paleontology. Are Birds Really Dinosaurs? — University of California Museum of Paleontology. Prehistoric avialans Jurassic birds Feathered dinosaurs Late Jurassic dinosaurs of Europe Jurassic Germany Mesozoic birds of Europe Solnhofen fauna Fossils of Germany Transitional fossils Fossil taxa described in