Pennaraptoran Theropod Dinosaurs Past Progress and New Frontiers

Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 440(1), С. 1 - 1

Опубликована: Авг. 21, 2020

Язык: Английский

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Re-evaluation of the Bahariya Formation carcharodontosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) and its implications for allosauroid phylogeny

PLoS ONE, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 20(1), С. e0311096 - e0311096

Опубликована: Янв. 14, 2025

The first partial skeleton of a carcharodontosaurid theropod was described from the Egyptian Bahariya Oasis by Ernst Stromer in 1931. referred specimen to species Megalosaurus saharicus , originally on basis isolated teeth slightly older rocks Algeria, under new genus name Carcharodontosaurus . Unfortunately, almost all material Oasis, including destroyed during World War II. In 1996, relatively complete cranium similar aged Morocco and designated neotype 2007. However, due destruction original material, comparisons fossils have so far only been done cursorily. A detailed reexamination available information carcharodontosaurid, previously undescribed photograph exhibited specimen, reveals that it differs Moroccan numerous characters, such as development emargination antorbital fossa nasals, presence horn-like rugosity nasal, lack dorsoventral expansion lacrimal contact frontals, relative enlargement cerebrum. referability Algerian M is found be questionable, designation for C accepted here consideration ICZN Atricle 75, both compares more favorably originates locality closer type locality. species, Tameryraptor markgrafi gen. et sp. nov, proposed taxon. theropods Kem Group are thus not closely related thought, faunal similarities between these two strata need further examination.

Язык: Английский

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Whence the birds: 200 years of dinosaurs, avian antecedents

Biology Letters, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 21(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Among the most revolutionary insights emerging from 200 years of research on dinosaurs is that clade Dinosauria represented by approximately 11 000 living species birds. Although origin birds among has been reviewed extensively, recent have witnessed tremendous progress in our understanding deep evolutionary origins numerous distinctive avian anatomical systems. These advances enabled exciting new fossil discoveries, leading to an ever-expanding phylogenetic framework with which pinpoint characteristic features. The present review focuses four notable systems whose Mesozoic history greatly clarified discoveries: brain, kinetic palate, pectoral girdle and postcranial skeletal pneumaticity.

Язык: Английский

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Earliest short-tailed bird from the Late Jurassic of China

Nature, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 638(8050), С. 441 - 448

Опубликована: Фев. 12, 2025

Язык: Английский

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The trophic habits of early birds

Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 513, С. 178 - 195

Опубликована: Март 18, 2018

Язык: Английский

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Taxonomic identification of isolated theropod teeth: The case of the shed tooth crown associated with Aerosteon (Theropoda: Megaraptora) and the dentition of Abelisauridae

Cretaceous Research, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 108, С. 104312 - 104312

Опубликована: Ноя. 14, 2019

Язык: Английский

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A new paravian dinosaur from the Late Jurassic of North America supports a late acquisition of avian flight

PeerJ, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 7, С. e7247 - e7247

Опубликована: Июль 10, 2019

The last two decades have seen a remarkable increase in the known diversity of basal avialans and their paravian relatives. lack resolution relationships these groups combined with attributing behavior specialized taxa to base Paraves has clouded interpretations origin avialan flight. Here, we describe Hesperornithoides miessleri gen. et sp. nov., new theropod from Morrison Formation (Late Jurassic) Wyoming, USA, represented by single adult or subadult specimen comprising partial, well-preserved skull postcranial skeleton. Limb proportions firmly establish as occupying terrestrial, non-volant lifestyle. Our phylogenetic analysis emphasizes extensive taxonomic sampling robust character construction, recovering taxon most parsimoniously troodontid close Daliansaurus , Xixiasaurus Sinusonasus . Multiple alternative topologies similar degrees support, but proposals archaeopterygids, microraptorians, Rahonavis being closer Pygostylia than archaeopterygids unenlagiines are strongly rejected. All parsimonious results support hypothesis that each early clade was plesiomorphically flightless, raising possibility avian flight originated late Late Jurassic Early Cretaceous.

Язык: Английский

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A new clade of basal Early Cretaceous pygostylian birds and developmental plasticity of the avian shoulder girdle

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2018, Номер 115(42), С. 10708 - 10713

Опубликована: Сен. 24, 2018

Early members of the clade Pygostylia (birds with a short tail ending in compound bone termed "pygostyle") are critical for understanding how modern avian bauplan evolved from long-tailed basal birds like Archaeopteryx However, currently limited known diversity early branching pygostylians obscures our this major transition evolution. Here, we describe pygostylian, Jinguofortis perplexus gen. et sp. nov., Cretaceous China that adds important information about short-tailed bird group. Phylogenetic analysis recovers (Jinguofortisidae fam. nov.) uniting and enigmatic taxon Chongmingia represents second earliest diverging group Pygostylia. Jinguofortisids preserve mosaic combination plesiomorphic nonavian theropod features such as fused scapulocoracoid (a component flight apparatus) more derived flight-related morphologies including evidence reduction manual digits among birds. The presence adult individuals independently Jinguofortisidae Confuciusornithiformes may relate to an accelerated osteogenesis during chondrogenesis likely formed through heterochronic process peramorphosis by which these taxa retain ancestors addition modifications. With wings having low aspect ratio wing loading, have been adapted particularly dense forest environments. discovery increases ecomorphological highlights importance developmental plasticity evolution

Язык: Английский

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Paravian Phylogeny and the Dinosaur-Bird Transition: An Overview

Frontiers in Earth Science, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 6

Опубликована: Фев. 12, 2019

Recent years witnessed the discovery of a great diversity early birds as well closely related non-avian theropods, which modified previous conceptions about origin and their flight. We here present review currently taxonomic composition main anatomical characteristics those theropod families with birds, aim to analyze discuss phylogenetic hypotheses that compete some topics dinosaur-bird transition. conclude troodontid affinities anchiornithines, dromaeosaurids microraptorians unenlagiids are dismissed in favor sister group relationships Avialae. After recodification topology TWiG scheme, results on large polytomy at base Pennaraptora. Regarding character evolution, we found that: 1) presence ossified sternum goes hand by uncinate processes; 2) folded forelimbs basal archosaurs indicates widespread distribution among reptiles, contradicting proposals forelimb folding driven propatagial associated tendons was exclusive avian lineage; 3) paravians avialans Archaeopteryx wings relatively wide, short rectricial feathers, rounded alar contour, having convex wing attack margin. These taxa exhibit restricted capabilities forelimbs, preserving hands flexor angles (respect radius/ulna) no lesser than 90º. In more derived instead, rectrices notably elongate angle described between forearm is much less 90º, indicating not only an increased capability but also variety beat movements during Because strong similarities pectoral girdle conformation ratites paravians, it possible infer were similar all these taxa, lacking complex dorsoventral excursion characteristic living neognathans.

Язык: Английский

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Birds have peramorphic skulls, too: anatomical network analyses reveal oppositional heterochronies in avian skull evolution

Communications Biology, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 3(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 24, 2020

Abstract In contrast to the vast majority of reptiles, skulls adult crown birds are characterized by a high degree integration due bone fusion, e.g., an ontogenetic event generating net reduction in number bones. To understand this process evolutionary context, we investigate postnatal changes bird and non-avian theropods using anatomical network analysis ( AnNA ). Due greater bones contacts, early juvenile have less integrated skulls, resembling their theropod ancestors, including Archaeopteryx lithographica Ichthyornis dispars . Phylogenetic comparisons indicate that skull fusion resulting modular represent peramorphosis (developmental exaggeration ancestral trait) evolved late during avialan evolution, at origin crown-birds. Succeeding general paedomorphic shape trend, occurrence additional reflects mosaic complexity avian evolution.

Язык: Английский

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