Bauxitornis
Bauxitornis | |
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Holotype right tarsometatarsus | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Dinosauria |
Clade: | Saurischia |
Clade: | Theropoda |
Clade: | Avialae |
Clade: | †Enantiornithes |
Family: | †Avisauridae |
Genus: | †Bauxitornis Dyke & Ősi, 2010 |
Species: | †B. mindszentyae
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Binomial name | |
†Bauxitornis mindszentyae Dyke & Ősi, 2010
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Bauxitornis is an
Description
The holotype of Bauxitornis is MTV V 2009.31.1 (previously known as MTM Gyn/439), a right tarsometatarsus. At 51 mm (2 inches) in length, this bone indicates that Bauxitornis was a comparatively large enantiornithean similar to Soroavisaurus and Avisaurus.[1]
In addition, several other traits support the placement of Bauxitornis as an avisaurid. The inside edge of the trochlea (toe joint) of
However, Bauxitornis can be distinguished from these other enantiornitheans due to having a shortened metatarsal II (the innermost preserved midfoot bone) without a tubercule (scarred bump) for the M. tibialis cranialis muscle. In addition, Bauxitornis's longest metatarsal is metatarsal IV (the outermost midfoot bone) rather than metatarsal III.[1]
Classification
While usually thought to be an avisaurid enantiornithean, one study finds it to be a more basal avialan closely related to Balaur bondoc.[2]
References
- ^ doi:10.1002/gj.1209.
- PMID 31333906.