Jiang Changmensis is the pioneering non-avian dinosaur discovered at a paleontological site featuring over 100 early Cretaceous bird specimens.
Jiang Changmensis (Left) launched an early attack on Gansus yumenensis (Right) in the Changma Basin, now in northwestern China, around 120 million years ago. Image credit: Lewis LaRosa / Jão Canola.
Jiang Changmensis roamed what is now northwestern China approximately 124 to 120 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period.
This species belongs to the Microraptoridae, a subgroup of small-winged dromaeosaur dinosaurs.
Members of this lineage include the Microraptor, a four-winged dinosaur believed to be capable of gliding and possibly powered flight.
Dr. Jingmai O’Connor, a paleontologist at the Field Museum of Natural History and the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, stated, “Jiang Changmensis is one of the largest Microraptor specimens ever discovered.”
“The humerus bone fragment we possess measures approximately 10 centimeters (4 inches) in length, suggesting the dinosaur likely had a wingspan of about 4 feet, roughly the size of a barn owl.”
“We believe Jiang Changmensis, like other Microraptors, had long feathers on both its arms and legs, giving it four ‘wings’ for gliding.” Dr. O’Connor added that, while other Microraptors were likely unable to achieve true powered flight, they could probably glide like flying squirrels.
The skeletal remains of Jiang Changmensis were found in the Xiagou Formation, uncovered near Changma Village in the Changma Basin, Gansu Province, northwestern China.
This site yielded over 100 early Cretaceous bird skeletons, many of which preserved soft tissues such as feathers and skin. However, until now, no non-avian dinosaur specimens had been recorded from this location.
Dr. O’Connor remarked, “Scientists had uncovered strange clusters of dismembered bird bones at this site, but we lacked an understanding of what had caused them.”
“Now, with the discovery of Jiang Changmensis, we have our best hypothesis.”
“This is the only dinosaur found at this site that isn’t a bird, and it was considerably larger than the other dinosaurs discovered there.”
The discovery of Jiang Changmensis holds greater implications beyond identifying a new species.
Previously, all distinct members of the Microraptorinae subfamily were found in the Jehor Group, a series of geological formations located approximately 2,000 km from Changma, extending confirmed ranges into northwestern China.
Dr. Matt Lamanna, a paleontologist at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, emphasized, “Jiang Changmensis demonstrates that non-avian dinosaurs inhabited the current Chanma Basin, renowned for its bird fossils.”
“Our team has recovered over 100 bird fossils in Chanma, but this is the sole non-avian dinosaur specimen.”
Jiang Changmensis offers critical new insights into the biological history of the Changma region and the ecological context of today’s bird ancestors.
“Understanding life on Earth today necessitates examining its origins.”
“Birds are arguably the most successful group of terrestrial vertebrates on the planet today.”
“By exploring early birds and their non-avian dinosaur relatives, we gain a clearer understanding of why this avian group has persevered.”
The team’s findings are published today in the Carnegie Chronicle Museum.
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Zhou Lingqi et al. 2026. A non-avian theropod (Dromaeosauridae, Microraptoridae) first identified in the Lower Cretaceous Xiagou Formation, cohabiting with birds, from the Changma Basin, Gansu Province, northwest China. Carnegie Chronicle Museum 92(2):89-110.
Source: www.sci.news
