How to translate text using browser tools
1 May 2014 A New Robust Enantiornithine Bird from the Lower Cretaceous of China with Scansorial Adaptations
Min Wang, Jingmai K. O'Connor, Zhonghe Zhou
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

We describe a new enantiornithine bird, Fortunguavis xiaotaizicus, gen. et sp. nov, from the Lower Cretaceous lacustrine deposits of the Jiufotang Formation in northeastern China. The new taxon has a strongly dorsoventrally bowed furcula indicating that enantiornithines evolved furcular morphologies in parallel with ornithuromorphs. The new specimen has very robust limbs compared with other enantiornithines and has an unique foot morphology with metatarsal II much shorter than metatarsal IV, robust pedal digits, and strongly recurved pedal unguals. Although recurved unguals characterize Enantiornithes, the extreme curvature present in Fortunguavis suggests scansorial specialization in this species. These features hint at a unique ecology for this taxon and further increase the known diversity of body plans in Early Cretaceous enantiornithines.

2014 by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
Min Wang, Jingmai K. O'Connor, and Zhonghe Zhou "A New Robust Enantiornithine Bird from the Lower Cretaceous of China with Scansorial Adaptations," Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 34(3), 657-671, (1 May 2014). https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2013.812101
Received: 28 March 2013; Accepted: 1 June 2013; Published: 1 May 2014
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top