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Confuciusornithidae
Confuciusornithidae is an extinct family of pygostylian avialans known from the Early Cretaceous, found in northern China. They are commonly placed as a sister group to Ornithothoraces, a group that contains all extant birds along with their closest extinct relatives. Confuciusornithidae contains four genera, possessing both shafted and non-shafted (downy) feathers. They are also noted for their distinctive pair of ribbon-like tail feathers of disputed function. The wing anatomy of confuciusornithids suggests an unusual flight behavior, due to anatomy that implies conflicting abilities. They possessed feathers similar to those of fast-flapping birds, which rely on quick flapping of their wings to stay aloft. At the same time, their wing anatomy also suggests a lack of flapping ability. Confuciusornithids are also noted for their beak and lack of teeth, similar to modern birds. Both predators and prey, confuciusornithid fossils have been observed with fish remains in their digestive ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yangavis
''Yangavis'' is a basal Pygostylia, pygostylian genus, belonging to the Confuciusornithidae, that in the Early Cretaceous lived in the area of present China. The type species is ''Yangavis confucii''. Discovery and naming At Sihedang, in Liaoning, a fossil avialan skeleton was excavated. In 2018, the type species ''Yangavis confucii'' was named and described by Wang Min (paleontologist), Wang Min and Zhou Zhonghe. The generic name honours the Chinese paleontologist Yang Zhongjian on the occasion of his 121st birthday, connecting his name with a Latin ''avis'', "bird". The specific name (zoology), specific name honours Confucius, at the same time referring to the Confuciusornithidae. The holotype, IVPP V18929, was found in a layer of the Yixian Formation dating from the Aptian. It consists of an almost complete articulated skeleton, compressed on a single plate. Description ''Yangavis'' has a wingspan of about half a metre. It differs from all other known Confuciusornithidae ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
