Palaeopteryx thomsoni was named by Jensen (1981),[1] then re-described by Jensen and Padian (1989).[2] At that time the binomial Palaeopteryx thomsoni was deemed invalid by Jensen.[1]
Size of P. thomsoni (orange) compared to other small theropods
One notable specimen found alongside the holotype of Palaeopteryx is the right femur of a derived maniraptoran theropod (BYU 2023).[1] BYU 2023 is missing the distal end and is about 63 millimetres (2+1⁄2 in) long. It is probably too small to be from the same individual as BYU 2022. BYU 2023 shows apomorphies known only in advanced maniraptorans, including Microvenator, Microraptor, and Archaeopteryx.[1]
Descriptionedit
The holotype bone is about 45 millimetres (1+3⁄4 in) long. It was described by Jensen (1981) as an "avian – like" proximal left tibiotarsus.[1] It was then listed by Molnar (1985) in a survey of the earliest known birds. Jensen and Padian (1989) reidentified it as the distal right radius of "a small deinonychosaur or bird".[2]
Classificationedit
Palaeopteryx has been the subject of much confusion on the internet, in the popular scientific press, and among creationist writers. It has been described as a possible bird older than Archaeopteryx,[1] but it cannot be clearly assigned to Avialae, and its horizon is younger than that of Archaeopteryx, though it is still from the Jurassic.[2]
Palaeopteryx is currently classified as a member of the Paraves, within Theropoda.[2]
Referencesedit
^ abcdefghJensen, James A. (1981). "Another look at Archaeopteryx as the world's oldest bird". Encyclia. 58: 109–128.
^ abcdJensen, James A.; Padian, Kevin (1989). "Small pterosaurs and dinosaurs from the Uncompahgre fauna (Brushy Basin member, Morrison Formation: ?Tithonian), Late Jurassic, western Colorado". Journal of Paleontology. 63 (3): 364–373. doi:10.1017/S0022336000019533. S2CID 130246056.
palaeopteryx, meaning, ancient, wing, extinct, genus, dubious, paravian, theropod, dinosaur, from, morrison, formation, colorado, type, species, thomsoni, temporal, range, late, jurassic, preꞒ, scientific, classificationdomain, eukaryotakingdom, animaliaphylum. Palaeopteryx meaning ancient wing is an extinct genus of dubious paravian theropod dinosaur from the Morrison Formation of Colorado The type species is P thomsoni 1 PalaeopteryxTemporal range Late Jurassic 153 Ma PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClade DinosauriaClade SaurischiaClade TheropodaClade ParavesGenus PalaeopteryxJensen 1981Species P thomsoniBinomial name Palaeopteryx thomsoniJensen 1981 Contents 1 Discovery and naming 2 Description 3 Classification 4 ReferencesDiscovery and naming editThe holotype BYU 2022 was collected sometime between 1972 and 1976 by a paleontological expedition from Brigham Young University directed by James A Jensen in the Dry Mesa quarry on the Uncompahgre Upwarp in western Colorado Brushy Basin Member Morrison Formation It was found among mixed fossil remains that included pterosaur and dinosaur material 1 Palaeopteryx thomsoni was named by Jensen 1981 1 then re described by Jensen and Padian 1989 2 At that time the binomial Palaeopteryx thomsoni was deemed invalid by Jensen 1 nbsp Size of P thomsoni orange compared to other small theropodsOne notable specimen found alongside the holotype of Palaeopteryx is the right femur of a derived maniraptoran theropod BYU 2023 1 BYU 2023 is missing the distal end and is about 63 millimetres 2 1 2 in long It is probably too small to be from the same individual as BYU 2022 BYU 2023 shows apomorphies known only in advanced maniraptorans including Microvenator Microraptor and Archaeopteryx 1 Description editThe holotype bone is about 45 millimetres 1 3 4 in long It was described by Jensen 1981 as an avian like proximal left tibiotarsus 1 It was then listed by Molnar 1985 in a survey of the earliest known birds Jensen and Padian 1989 reidentified it as the distal right radius of a small deinonychosaur or bird 2 Classification editPalaeopteryx has been the subject of much confusion on the internet in the popular scientific press and among creationist writers It has been described as a possible bird older than Archaeopteryx 1 but it cannot be clearly assigned to Avialae and its horizon is younger than that of Archaeopteryx though it is still from the Jurassic 2 Palaeopteryx is currently classified as a member of the Paraves within Theropoda 2 References edit a b c d e f g h Jensen James A 1981 Another look at Archaeopteryx as the world s oldest bird Encyclia 58 109 128 a b c d Jensen James A Padian Kevin 1989 Small pterosaurs and dinosaurs from the Uncompahgre fauna Brushy Basin member Morrison Formation Tithonian Late Jurassic western Colorado Journal of Paleontology 63 3 364 373 doi 10 1017 S0022336000019533 S2CID 130246056 nbsp Dinosaurs portal Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Palaeopteryx amp oldid 1196884181, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
