Dalingheornis
| Dalingheornis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Clade: | Saurischia |
| Clade: | Theropoda |
| Clade: | Avialae |
| Clade: | †Enantiornithes |
| Genus: | †Dalingheornis Zhang et al., 2006 |
| Species: | †D. liweii
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Dalingheornis liweii Zhang et al., 2006
| |
Dalingheornis is a
dromaeosaurids. However, this may have been a juvenile feature. The fossil was named after Yang Liwei, the first Chinese astronaut in space.[1]
Description
Some sources have doubted the presence of heterodactyl feet in this genus. Lockley et al. (2007) found that its metatarsal II was not strongly curved inwards compared to other enantiornitheans, and they also noted that the supposed reversed second toe claw probably acquired that position after the animal died.[2] In 2009, Jingmai O'Connor considered Dalingheornis to be a nomen dubium due to its remains being stored in a private collection.[3] However, this proposal has been criticized by Mickey Mortimer, as Dalingheornis is a valid genus under ICZN guidelines despite its inaccessibility to paleontologists.[4]
References
- ^ Zhang, Z.; Hou, L.; Hasegawa, Y.; O'Connor, J.; Martin, L.D.; Chiappe, L.M. (2006). "The first Mesozoic heterodactyl bird from China". Acta Geologica Sinica. 80 (5): 631–635.
- S2CID 15821251.
- ^ O'Connor, Jingmai (December 2009). "A systematic review of Enantiornithes (Aves: Ornithothoraces)". Dissertation.
- ^ Mortimer, Mickey (26 September 2010). "Please DON'T ignore any taxa - A rebuttal to O'Connor and Dyke". The Theropod Database Blog.