Tag Archive for 'Microraptor zhaoianus'

Primary sequential molt in Microraptor; the arrow indicates the location of the molt-related gap within the primary feathers. Scale bar - 10 cm. Image credit: Y. Kiat & J.K. O’Connor, doi: 10.1038/s42003-023-05048-x.

Rarity of Molt Evidence in Feathered Dinosaurs Suggests Annual Molt Evolved Later among Flying Birds

Jul 6, 2023 by Enrico de Lazaro

Feathers are a primitive trait among pennaraptoran dinosaurs, which today are represented by living birds, the only clade of dinosaurs to survive the end-Cretaceous...

Life reconstruction of Microraptor zhaoianus eating the foot of a small mammal. Image credit: Ralph Attanasia III.

Diet of Cretaceous Feathered Dinosaur Included Mammals

Dec 21, 2022 by Enrico de Lazaro

Paleontologists have found the fossilized remains of a small mammal foot preserved inside the body cavity of the holotype specimen of Microraptor zhaoianus,...

Microraptor swallowing Indrasaurus wangi. Image credit: Doyle Trankina.

Microraptors Ate Lizards for Lunch

Jul 12, 2019 by Enrico de Lazaro

Paleontologists in China have uncovered a nearly complete, fully articulated skeleton of Microraptor zhaoianus, a pigeon-sized, four-winged dinosaur that...