Omnivoropterygids Temporal range: Early Cretaceous, 120 Ma | |
---|---|
File:Sapeornis chaoyangensis.JPG | |
Fossil specimen of Sapeornis chaoyangensis, Hong Kong Science Museum | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Clade: | Euavialae |
Clade: | Avebrevicauda |
Order: | †Omnivoropterygiformes Czerkas & Ji, 2002 |
Family: | †Omnivoropterygidae Czerkas & Ji, 2002 |
Type species | |
†Omnivoropteryx sinousaorum Czerkas & Ji, 2002 | |
Genera | |
Synonyms | |
|
Omnivoropterygidae (meaning "omnivorous wings") is a family of primitive birds known exclusively from the Jiufotang Formation of China. They had short skeletal tails and unusual skulls with teeth in the upper, but not lower, jaws. Their unique dentition has led some scientists to suggest an omnivorous diet for them.[1] The family was named by Stephen A. Czerkas & Qiang Ji in 2002, though its junior synonym Sapeornithidae is often used instead, though it was named four years later in 2006.[2] It is the only named family in the order Omnivoropterygiformes (=Sapeornithiformes).
References[]
- ^ Czerkas, S. A. & Ji, Q. (2002). "A preliminary report on an omnivorous volant bird from northeast China." In: Czerkas, S. J. (editor): Feathered Dinosaurs and the origin of flight. The Dinosaur Museum Journal 1: 127-135. HTML abstract
- ^ Hu, D., Li, L., Hou, L., and Xu, X. (2010). "A new sapeornithid bird from China and its implication for early avian evolution." Acta Geologica Sinica, (English Edition) 84(3): 472-482. doi:10.1111/j.1755-6724.2010.00188.x
File:PhorusrhacosLongissimus-Skull-BackgroundKnockedOut-ROM-Dec29-07.png | This prehistoric bird article is a stub. You can help All Birds by expanding it. |
This article is part of Project Bird Taxonomy, a All Birds project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every order, family and other taxonomic rank related to birds. |