Avian ancestors : a review of the phylogenetic relationships of the theropods unenlagiidae, microraptoria, anchiornis and scansoriopterygidae /

Although consensus exists among researchers that birds evolved from coelurosaurian theropods, paleontologists still debate the identification of the group of coelurosaurians that most closely approaches the common ancestor of birds. The last 20 years witnessed the discovery of a wide array of avian-...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Agnoli n, Federico L.
Corporate Authors: SpringerLink (Online service)
Group Author: Novas, Fernando E.
Published: Springer,
Publisher Address: Dordrecht ; New York :
Publication Dates: 2013.
Literature type: eBook
Language: English
Series: SpringerBriefs in earth system sciences, SpringerBriefs South American and the Southern Hemisphere
Subjects:
Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5637-3
Summary: Although consensus exists among researchers that birds evolved from coelurosaurian theropods, paleontologists still debate the identification of the group of coelurosaurians that most closely approaches the common ancestor of birds. The last 20 years witnessed the discovery of a wide array of avian-like theropods that has considerably amplified the anatomical disparity among deinonychosaurians, some of which resemble Archaeopteryx more than Deinonychus. Among these newly discovered theropods that show remarkable bird-like characteristics are the four-winged theropods Microraptor and Anchiornis, and the unenlagiids Unenlagia, Buitreraptor, and Rahonavis. A bizarre group of minute-sized coelurosaurs, the Scansoriopterygidae, also exhibits some avian similarities that lead some authors to interpret them as more closely related to birds than other dinosaurs. With the aim to explore the phylogenetic relationships of these coelurosaurians and birds, we merged recently published integrative databases, resulting in significant changes in the topological distribution of taxa within Paraves. We present evidence that Dromaeosauridae, Microraptoria, Unenlagiidae, and Anchiornis + Xiaotingia form successive sister taxa of Aves, and that the Scansoriopterygidae are basal coelurosaurians not closely related to birds. The implications in the evolutionary sequence of anatomical characters leading to birds, including the origin of flight, are also considered in light of this new phylogenetic hypothesis.
Carrier Form: 1 online resource.
Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN: 9789400756373 (electronic bk.)
9400756372 (electronic bk.)
Index Number: QL677
CLC: Q959.7
Contents: Introduction --
Paraves Sereno, 1997 --
Eumaniraptora Padian, Hutchinson, and Holtz, 1999 --
Averaptora new clade --
Unenlagiidae + Avialae clade --
Anchiornis + Xiaotingia +Avialae clade --
Anchiornis + Xiaotingia clade --
Avialae Gauthier, 1986 --
Ornithurae Haeckel, 1816 --
Avebrevicauda Paul, 2002 --
Oviraptorosauria + Scansoriopterygidae clade --
Uncertain Averaptoran Theropods --
Luanchuanraptor henanensis --
Hulsanpes perlei --
Shanag agile --
Tianyuraptor ostromi --
Mahakala omnogova --
Jinfengopteryx elegans --
Unquillosaurus ceiballi --
Pamparaptor micros --
European Dromaeosaurids --
Discussion --
Evolution of Feathers and Wings Among Basal Paravians --
Osteological and Integumental Modifications Related to the Origin of Flight --
Body Size Increase and Loss of Flying Capabilities Among Paravians --
Independent Origin of Flying Capabilities Among Paravians --
Averaptoran Radiation and Center of Origin of Birds --