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1 May 2014 A Confuciusornithiform (Aves, Pygostylia)-Like Tarsometatarsus from the Early Cretaceous of Siberia and a Discussion of the Evolution of Avian Hind Limb Musculature
Jingmai K O'Connor, Alexander O. Averianov, Nikita V. Zelenkov
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Abstract

We describe a new isolated tarsometatarsus from the Early Cretaceous (Barremian—Aptian) Ilek Formation Shestakovo-3 locality in western Siberia. The new specimen represents a new taxon, Evgenavis nobilis, gen. et sp. nov., significantly increasing the Mesozoic avifauna from Russia. The specimen shares morphologies with a number of basal ornithothoracine taxa, but shows most similarity to the basal pygostylian Confuciusornis sanctus, the oldest known beaked bird and most common taxon from the Yixian Formation. Evgenavis may represent the first record of Confuciusornithiformes outside of the Jehol Group and its equivalent deposits. However, this is not supported by cladistic analysis, which weakly resolves the new species and Mystiornis both within the diverse Enantiornithes, indicating that additional material is required to assess the systematic position of Evgenavis nobilis (Aves incertae sedis). The three-dimensional preservation of the specimen allows for a partial reconstruction of the pedal musculature, revealing a primitive stage in the evolution of the neornithine condition.

© 2014 by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
Jingmai K O'Connor, Alexander O. Averianov, and Nikita V. Zelenkov "A Confuciusornithiform (Aves, Pygostylia)-Like Tarsometatarsus from the Early Cretaceous of Siberia and a Discussion of the Evolution of Avian Hind Limb Musculature," Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34(3), 647-656, (1 May 2014). https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2013.828734
Received: 4 February 2013; Accepted: 1 July 2013; Published: 1 May 2014
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