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A pre-Archaeopteryx troodontid theropod from China with long feathers on the metatarsus

Author

Listed:
  • Dongyu Hu

    (Paleontological Institute, Shenyang Normal University, 253 North Huanghe Street, Shenyang 110034, China)

  • Lianhai Hou

    (Paleontological Institute, Shenyang Normal University, 253 North Huanghe Street, Shenyang 110034, China
    Key Laboratory of Evolutionary Systematics of Vertebrates, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 142 Xiwai Street, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Lijun Zhang

    (Paleontological Institute, Shenyang Normal University, 253 North Huanghe Street, Shenyang 110034, China
    Shenyang Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, 25 Beiling Street, Shenyang 110032, China)

  • Xing Xu

    (Paleontological Institute, Shenyang Normal University, 253 North Huanghe Street, Shenyang 110034, China
    Key Laboratory of Evolutionary Systematics of Vertebrates, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 142 Xiwai Street, Beijing 100044, China)

Abstract

Anchiornis huxleyi: strictly for the troodontids The troodontids and dromaeosaurs are the dinosaur groups most closely related to birds. Anchiornis huxleyi from the Jurassic of China was thought to have been a stem-group bird — on the way to accumulating bird-like traits but retaining significant characteristics from earlier forebears. But the discovery of a new and spectacular specimen shows instead that it was a troodontid. As such, it is a very early member of that group (antedating Archaeopteryx) and exhibits a rich plumage, especially on the legs and feet. The early history of the Paraves (troodontids, dromaeosaurs and birds) was clearly one of much evolutionary experimentation and ferment, only now being revealed as new fossil discoveries emerge.

Suggested Citation

  • Dongyu Hu & Lianhai Hou & Lijun Zhang & Xing Xu, 2009. "A pre-Archaeopteryx troodontid theropod from China with long feathers on the metatarsus," Nature, Nature, vol. 461(7264), pages 640-643, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:461:y:2009:i:7264:d:10.1038_nature08322
    DOI: 10.1038/nature08322
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    Cited by:

    1. Alfio Alessandro Chiarenza & Anthony R Fiorillo & Ronald S Tykoski & Paul J McCarthy & Peter P Flaig & Dori L Contreras, 2020. "The first juvenile dromaeosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from Arctic Alaska," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(7), pages 1-30, July.
    2. Xia Wang & Alistair J McGowan & Gareth J Dyke, 2011. "Avian Wing Proportions and Flight Styles: First Step towards Predicting the Flight Modes of Mesozoic Birds," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(12), pages 1-8, December.

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