A basal archosaurian origin for birds
Author(s): Larry D.MARTIN
Pages: 978-990
Year: 2004 Issue: 6
Journal: ACTA ZOOLOGICA SINICA
Keyword: Birds; Origin; Archosaurs; Maniraptorans; Phylogeny;
Abstract: The controversy over the origin of birds may have been resolved through the discovery of new and remarkable fossils from the Triassic of Central Asia and the Early Cretacous of China. Flight probably originated in small, quadrupedal gliding archosaurs in the Triassic. Feathers originated for gliding rather than for insulation. The "maniraptoran dinosaurs" are actually derived from birds with at least gliding capabilities and primary feathers on the hands[Acta Zoologica Sinica 50(6):978-990,2004].
Pages: 978-990
Year: 2004 Issue: 6
Journal: ACTA ZOOLOGICA SINICA
Keyword: Birds; Origin; Archosaurs; Maniraptorans; Phylogeny;
Abstract: The controversy over the origin of birds may have been resolved through the discovery of new and remarkable fossils from the Triassic of Central Asia and the Early Cretacous of China. Flight probably originated in small, quadrupedal gliding archosaurs in the Triassic. Feathers originated for gliding rather than for insulation. The "maniraptoran dinosaurs" are actually derived from birds with at least gliding capabilities and primary feathers on the hands[Acta Zoologica Sinica 50(6):978-990,2004].
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