Basal paravian functional anatomy illuminated by high-detail body outline

Xiaoli Wang (), Michael Pittman (), Xiaoting Zheng, Thomas G. Kaye, Amanda R. Falk, Scott A. Hartman and Xing Xu
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Xiaoli Wang: Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University
Michael Pittman: Vertebrate Palaeontology Laboratory, University of Hong Kong
Xiaoting Zheng: Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Linyi University
Thomas G. Kaye: Foundation for Scientific Advancement
Amanda R. Falk: Centre College
Scott A. Hartman: University of Wisconsin-Madison, Lewis G. Weeks Hall for Geological Sciences
Xing Xu: Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Body shape is a fundamental expression of organismal biology, but its quantitative reconstruction in fossil vertebrates is rare. Due to the absence of fossilized soft tissue evidence, the functional consequences of basal paravian body shape and its implications for the origins of avians and flight are not yet fully understood. Here we reconstruct the quantitative body outline of a fossil paravian Anchiornis based on high-definition images of soft tissues revealed by laser-stimulated fluorescence. This body outline confirms patagia-bearing arms, drumstick-shaped legs and a slender tail, features that were probably widespread among paravians. Finely preserved details also reveal similarities in propatagial and footpad form between basal paravians and modern birds, extending their record to the Late Jurassic. The body outline and soft tissue details suggest significant functional decoupling between the legs and tail in at least some basal paravians. The number of seemingly modern propatagial traits hint that feathering was a significant factor in how basal paravians utilized arm, leg and tail function for aerodynamic benefit.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14576

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