Uncinate processes, lever-like structures attached to the ribs, may have helped many dinosaurs breathe a little easier
We used tell-tale markings on ribs to show that uncinate processes were widespread in dinosaurs and their relatives, and likely represent an ancient adaptation for improved respiration that was ultimately inherited by birds.
Blog post by Yan-yin Wang, with contributions from Leon P. A. M. Claessens and Corwin Sullivan.