Paraprotopteryx
Paraprotopteryx | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Dinosauria |
Clade: | Saurischia |
Clade: | Theropoda |
Clade: | Avialae |
Clade: | †Enantiornithes |
Genus: | †Paraprotopteryx Zheng, Zhang & Hou, 2007 |
Species: | †P. gracilis
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Binomial name | |
†Paraprotopteryx gracilis Zheng, Zhang & Hou, 2007
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Paraprotopteryx is a genus of
In 2007, the type species Paraprotopeteryx gracilis was named and described by Zheng Xiaoting, Zhang Zihui and Hou Lianhai. The generic name means "near Protopteryx", in reference to a presumed similarity with that genus. The specific name is intended to mean "pretty".[1]
The holotype is specimen STM V001. It consists of a skeleton with skull on a plate and counterplate. The investigation preceding the description of the species proved that fossil traders had added the skull of a different individual to the torso. The description is based on the rump parts. Feathers have been preserved. The rump represents a subadult individual.[1]
Though initially reported to be from the
Distinguishing characteristics
The original description suggested a number of distinguishing traits. Paraprotopteryx would have had a
Paraprotopteryx has four, ten centimetres long,
References
- ^ a b c d Zheng, X. Zhang, Z. & Hou, L. (2007) A new enantiornithine bird with four long rectrices from the Early Cretaceous of northern Hebei, China. Acta Geologica Sinica 81(5):703-708.
- ^ Jin, Zhang, Li, Zhang, Li and Zhou (2008). "On the horizon of Protopteryx and the early vertebrate fossil assemblages of the Jehol Biota." Chinese Science Bulletin, 53(18): 2820-2827.
- ^ Zhou, Z. (2006). "Evolutionary radiation of the Jehol Biota: chronological and ecological perspectives." Geological Journal, 41: 377–393.
- ^ Jingmai K. O’Connor, Luis M. Chiappe, Cheng-ming Chuong, David J. Bottjer and Hailu You (2012) "Homology and Potential Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms for the Development of Unique Feather Morphologies in Early Birds." Geosciences, 2 157-177.