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An Archaeopteryx-like theropod from China and the origin of Avialae

Author

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  • Xing Xu

    (College of Life Science, Linyi University
    Key Laboratory of Evolutionary Systematics of Vertebrates, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hailu You

    (Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences)

  • Kai Du

    (Capital Normal University)

  • Fenglu Han

    (Key Laboratory of Evolutionary Systematics of Vertebrates, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences)

Abstract

Archaeopteryx is widely accepted as being the most basal bird, and accordingly it is regarded as central to understanding avialan origins; however, recent discoveries of derived maniraptorans have weakened the avialan status of Archaeopteryx. Here we report a new Archaeopteryx-like theropod from China. This find further demonstrates that many features formerly regarded as being diagnostic of Avialae, including long and robust forelimbs, actually characterize the more inclusive group Paraves (composed of the avialans and the deinonychosaurs). Notably, adding the new taxon into a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis shifts Archaeopteryx to the Deinonychosauria. Despite only tentative statistical support, this result challenges the centrality of Archaeopteryx in the transition to birds. If this new phylogenetic hypothesis can be confirmed by further investigation, current assumptions regarding the avialan ancestral condition will need to be re-evaluated.

Suggested Citation

  • Xing Xu & Hailu You & Kai Du & Fenglu Han, 2011. "An Archaeopteryx-like theropod from China and the origin of Avialae," Nature, Nature, vol. 475(7357), pages 465-470, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:475:y:2011:i:7357:d:10.1038_nature10288
    DOI: 10.1038/nature10288
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    Cited by:

    1. April M Wright & David M Hillis, 2014. "Bayesian Analysis Using a Simple Likelihood Model Outperforms Parsimony for Estimation of Phylogeny from Discrete Morphological Data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(10), pages 1-6, October.

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