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A long-tailed, seed-eating bird from the Early Cretaceous of China

Author

Listed:
  • Zhonghe Zhou

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

  • Fucheng Zhang

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

Abstract

The lacustrine deposits of the Yixian and Jiufotang Formations in the Early Cretaceous Jehol Group in the western Liaoning area of northeast China are well known for preserving feathered dinosaurs, primitive birds and mammals1,2,3. Here we report a large basal bird, Jeholornis prima gen. et sp. nov., from the Jiufotang Formation. This bird is distinctively different from other known birds of the Early Cretaceous period in retaining a long skeletal tail with unexpected elongated prezygopophyses and chevrons, resembling that of dromaeosaurids4,5,6, providing a further link between birds and non-avian theropods7,8. Despite its basal position in early avian evolution, the advanced features of the pectoral girdle and the carpal trochlea of the carpometacarpus of Jeholornis indicate the capability of powerful flight. The dozens of beautifully preserved ovules of unknown plant taxa in the stomach represents direct evidence for seed-eating adaptation in birds of the Mesozoic era.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhonghe Zhou & Fucheng Zhang, 2002. "A long-tailed, seed-eating bird from the Early Cretaceous of China," Nature, Nature, vol. 418(6896), pages 405-409, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:418:y:2002:i:6896:d:10.1038_nature00930
    DOI: 10.1038/nature00930
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