A new advanced ornithuromorph bird from Inner Mongolia documents the northernmost geographic distribution of the Jehol paleornithofauna in China. (2nd September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Xuri; Cau, Andrea; Kundrát, Martin; Chiappe, Luis M.; Ji, Qiang; Wang, Yang; Li, Tao; Wu, Wenhao
• Is Part Of: Historical biology. Volume 33:Number 9(2021)
• Page Start: 1705
• Page End: 1717
• Publication Date: 2021-09-02
• Subjects: Early Cretaceous -- Longjiang formation -- Jehol Biota -- Ornithuromorpha -- growth strategy; Paleobiology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; Paleontology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Paleontology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 560.5
• DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2020.1731805
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0891-2963

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We describe a new taxon of advanced ornithuromorph bird, Khinganornis hulunbuirensis gen. et sp. nov., from the previously unreported Pigeon Hill locality of the Lower Cretaceous Longjiang Formation in the northern Greater Khingan Range area of Inner Mongolia, China. A cladistics analysis resolves K. hulunbuirensis as the sister group of a clade formed by Changzuiornis and Iteravis among ornithuromorphs. The osteohistological analysis indicates that K. hulunbuirensis is the first ornithuromorph that maintained an uninterrupted growth during a longer period characterised by slow deposition of low-vascularised and terminal avascular bone tissue. The relatively long hindlimbs and elongate pedal digits with long proximal phalanges suggest a wading and amphibious ecology for the new bird. The discovery of K. hulunbuirensis represents the first occurrence of Jehol birds in the Greater Khingan Range and documents the northernmost known geographic distribution of the celebrated avifauna in China. The new record implies more extended palaeogeographic range for the early diversification of Mesozoic birds on the eastern side of Laurasia.