Final answer:
Our understanding of Theropods has significantly advanced since the 1980s, thanks to new fossil discoveries and research. Birds are recognized as descendants of theropod dinosaurs, with important transitional fossils like Archaeopteryx providing evidence for this connection.
Step-by-step explanation:
Theropods are a group of dinosaurs that includes well-known species like Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptor. In the 1980s, our understanding of Theropods was more limited compared to now. Back then, we had less information about their anatomy, behavior, and evolutionary relationships.
However, since the 1980s, there have been significant advancements in paleontological research, leading to a better understanding of Theropods. We now have more fossil specimens, which allow us to study their skeletal structures in greater detail. These discoveries have helped reconstruct their evolutionary history, showing the link between theropods and modern birds.
For example, we now know that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs. Fossil evidence, such as Archaeopteryx, has provided a crucial transition between dinosaurs and birds. This discovery from the 19th century further supports the idea that birds are the living descendants of one of the major clades of theropod dinosaurs.