Source: Chinese Academy
A new species, Chongmingia zhengi, sheds light on the early evolution of birds.
Phylogenetic analyses indicate that it is basal to the dominant Mesozoic avian
clades Enantiornithes and Ornithuromorpha, and represents a new basal avialan
lineage. This new discovery adds to our knowledge regarding the phylogenetic
differentiation and morphological diversity in early avian evolution.
Over the past three decades,
representatives of all major Mesozoic bird groups have been reported from the
Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota of northeastern China
This new species, represented by a single
new skeleton from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of the Jehol Group
in Dapingfang, Liaoning Province, China. The generic name is from the Mandarin
word Chongming, referring to a Chinese mythological bird. The specific epithet
is in honour of Mr. ZHENG Xiaoting for his generous contribution in the
establishment of the Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature.
The new specimen is a partial skeleton with
associated soft tissues and gastroliths, missing the skull and most of the
caudal vertebrae. Comparative studies indicate that it is a large
non-ornithothoracine bird distinguishable from the known basal avialans by a
combination of features.
The furcula of Chongmingia is rigid
(reducing its efficiency), consequently requiring more power for flight.
However, the elongated forelimb and the large deltopectoral crest on the
humerus might indicate that the power was available. The unique combination of
features present in this species demonstrates that numerous evolutionary
experimentations took place in the early evolution of powered flight.
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