A newly discovered genus and species of the four-winged Penaraptor dinosaur, which thrived during the Early Cretaceous period in northern China, offers fresh insights into the evolution of birds from their dinosaur ancestors, according to paleontologist Dr. Xin Shu from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
The recently identified dinosaur species existed in what is now China approximately 120 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous period.
Scientifically named Changzhou Saurus sinensis, this remarkable creature measured about 34 cm (13 inches) in length, making it one of the smallest known non-avian theropods.
Despite its diminutive size, Changzhou Saurus sinensis displayed a combination of anatomical features found across various branches of the bird-like dinosaur family tree.
It is believed that Changzhou Saurus sinensis represents early members of the Deinonychosaurus lineage, a subset of pennaraptor dinosaurs that includes both dromaeosaurs and troodontids.
“The Penaraptoridae family comprises several recently discovered smaller clades (such as Unenlaginae, Microraptoridae, Scansoliopteridae, Anchiornitidae, and Halskaraptrinae) along with four established major groups (Oviraptorosauridae, Dromaeosauridae, Troodontidae, and Ornithidae),” Xu stated in the study.
“In the past three decades, significant fossil discoveries from newly recognized minor clades as well as well-established major pennalaptorian groups have effectively bridged the morphological gap among major pennalaptorian lineages, provided the oldest known fossil record of feathers, shown the earliest examples of theropod flight, revealed unexpected morphological and ecological adaptations, and demonstrated the rapid dispersal of pennaraptorans during the mid-Jurassic period.”
“Remarkably, these fossils significantly enhance our understanding of bird origins, indicating that plumed feathers, aerodynamic behavior, and other characteristics once thought exclusive to birds are also present in other pennaraptoran groups.”
“Nevertheless, many critical questions remain unanswered, particularly those pertaining to the reconstruction of phylogenetic relationships, behaviors, and ecological characteristics of penalaraptors, as well as the interpretation of individual morphological traits.”
Holotype specimen of Changzhou Saurus sinensis slabs and counterslabs. Image credit: Xing Xu, doi: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.260616.
The fossilized remains of Changzhou Saurus sinensis were unearthed in the Jiufodang Formation located in the fossil-rich western Liaoning Province.
This specimen, preserved in slabs and counterslabs, represents an almost complete skeleton, featuring extensive feathers across its body.
Changzhou Saurus sinensis boasted about 16 elongated tail feathers, approximately four times the length of its femur, akin to the ornamental tail feathers seen in peacocks.
This dinosaur also possessed unusually large wings, with primary flight feathers measuring around 12 cm (4.7 inches) in length, considerably exceeding those of other known non-avian penaraptornids.
This discovery implies that the development of feathered wing areas and arm lengths may not have occurred simultaneously, challenging previously held notions about the evolution of flight-related structures.
Notably, the legs featured large feathers, reinforcing evidence that some bird-like dinosaurs had a unique four-winged body plan.
“This finding underscores the intricate nature of early penaraptornian evolution and raises several theoretical and methodological questions in penalaptorian research,” Dr. Xu remarked in the study.
“These questions pertain to how to establish a robust Penaraptorian phylogeny, infer the aerial behavior and ecological habitats of early-diverging Penaraptornians, and accurately define plumage and birds.”
This study has been published online in the Asian Vertebrates.
_____
Shin Shu. 2026. A new feathered dinosaur from northern China dating back to the Early Cretaceous. This research highlights the complexities of early Penaraptornian evolution and discusses several related conceptual and methodological challenges. Spinal Paralysis in press. doi: 10.19615/j.cnki.2096-9899.260616
Source: www.sci.news
