Newly Identified Norellraptor Could Reshape What We Know About Feathered Dinosaur Flight Evolution
- On Tuesday, researchers reported in Nature Communications the discovery of a new four-winged dinosaur, Norellraptor barsboldi, in Liaoning, China. The 3-year-old fossil suggests flight-related traits emerged more than once in the Paraves group.
- Analysis of 194 anatomical changes reveals that only around 30 percent of flight features in microraptors are shared with birds. This distinct sequence indicates these lineages acquired flight apparatuses through different evolutionary pathways.
- Vertebrate paleontologist Scott Hartman described the 3-year-old Norellraptor as a generalist predator measuring 21 inches long. He suggested these dinosaurs likely utilized a mix of gliding and flapping to control landings.
- Rui Pei, a paleontologist at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, noted the findings demonstrate microraptors acquired traits convergent with early birds. He added it is reasonable to expect these theropods performed behaviors comparable to modern avian species.
- Dating to between 145 million and 100 million years ago, Norellraptor was discovered in the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation. This discovery clarifies the complex evolutionary history of flight within the Paraves, providing critical data for understanding early dinosaurian capabilities.
22 Articles
22 Articles
4-winged fossil found in Liaoning challenges single origin of dinosaur flight
Scientists have unveiled an exceptionally well-preserved 100-million-year-old fossil of a small, feathered dinosaur in northeastern China that could reshape our understanding of how dinosaurs took to the skies. The newly discovered species, named Norellraptor barsboldi, is a four-winged predatory dinosaur measuring 57cm (22 inches) long. Belonging to the microraptorines – small dinosaurs with feathers and wings closely related to birds – the cre…
Remarkably preserved feathered dinosaur discovered in China reveals new secrets of flying predator evolution
A newly discovered feathered dinosaur named Norellraptor barsboldi had sharply curved teeth and claws, as well as four wings, and it adds evidence to the idea that flight evolved several times in different dinosaur groups.
Svenska Dagbladet
Scientists have found an unusually well-preserved fossil of a small, feathered dinosaur, providing new clues to how the ability to fly may have evolved.
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