An Archaeopteryx-like theropod from China and the origin of Avialae

Xing Xu (), Hailu You, Kai Du and Fenglu Han
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Xing Xu: College of Life Science, Linyi University
Hailu You: Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences
Kai Du: Capital Normal University
Fenglu Han: Key Laboratory of Evolutionary Systematics of Vertebrates, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Nature, 2011, vol. 475, issue 7357, 465-470

Abstract: Abstract Archaeopteryx is widely accepted as being the most basal bird, and accordingly it is regarded as central to understanding avialan origins; however, recent discoveries of derived maniraptorans have weakened the avialan status of Archaeopteryx. Here we report a new Archaeopteryx-like theropod from China. This find further demonstrates that many features formerly regarded as being diagnostic of Avialae, including long and robust forelimbs, actually characterize the more inclusive group Paraves (composed of the avialans and the deinonychosaurs). Notably, adding the new taxon into a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis shifts Archaeopteryx to the Deinonychosauria. Despite only tentative statistical support, this result challenges the centrality of Archaeopteryx in the transition to birds. If this new phylogenetic hypothesis can be confirmed by further investigation, current assumptions regarding the avialan ancestral condition will need to be re-evaluated.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/nature10288

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