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The smallest known non-avian theropod dinosaur

Author

Listed:
  • Xing Xu

    (The Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Zhonghe Zhou

    (The Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Xiaolin Wang

    (The Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    College of Earth Science and Resources, China University of Geosciences)

Abstract

Non-avian dinosaurs are mostly medium to large-sized animals, and to date all known mature specimens are larger than the most primitive bird, Archaeopteryx1. Here we report on a new dromaeosaurid dinosaur, Microraptor zhaoianus gen. et sp. nov., from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning, China2. This is the first mature non-avian dinosaur to be found that is smaller than Archaeopteryx1, and it eliminates the size disparity between the earliest birds and their closest non-avian theropod relatives. The more bird-like teeth, the Rahonavis -like ischium and the small number of caudal vertebrae of Microraptor are unique among dromaeosaurids and improve our understanding of the morphological transition to birds. The nearly completely articulated foot shows features, such as distally positioned digit I, slender and recurved pedal claws, and elongated penultimate phalanges, that are comparable to those of arboreal birds3,4,5,6. The discovery of these in non-avian theropods provides new insights for studying the palaeoecology of some bird-like theropod dinosaurs.

Suggested Citation

  • Xing Xu & Zhonghe Zhou & Xiaolin Wang, 2000. "The smallest known non-avian theropod dinosaur," Nature, Nature, vol. 408(6813), pages 705-708, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:408:y:2000:i:6813:d:10.1038_35047056
    DOI: 10.1038/35047056
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