Palaeopteryx
| Palaeopteryx | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Clade: | Saurischia |
| Clade: | Theropoda |
| Clade: | Paraves |
| Genus: | †Palaeopteryx Jensen, 1981 |
| Species: | †P. thomsoni
|
| Binomial name | |
| †Palaeopteryx thomsoni Jensen, 1981
| |
Palaeopteryx (meaning "ancient wing") is an
Discovery and naming
The holotype, BYU 2022, was collected sometime between 1972 and 1976 by a paleontological expedition from Brigham Young University directed by James A. Jensen in the "Dry Mesa" quarry on the Uncompahgre Upwarp in western Colorado (Brushy Basin Member, Morrison Formation). It was found among mixed fossil remains that included pterosaur and dinosaur material.[1]
Palaeopteryx thomsoni was named by Jensen (1981),[1] then re-described by Jensen and Padian (1989).[2] At that time the binomial Palaeopteryx thomsoni was deemed invalid by Jensen.[1]
One notable specimen found alongside the holotype of Palaeopteryx is the right femur of a derived
Description
The holotype bone is about 45 millimetres (1+3⁄4 in) long. It was described by Jensen (1981) as an "avian – like"
Classification
Palaeopteryx has been the subject of much confusion on the internet, in the popular scientific press, and among
Palaeopteryx is currently classified as a member of the Paraves, within Theropoda.[2]
