China, a realm of invention—paper, fireworks, zippers—and beneath its soil, a paleontological marvel: dinosaurs evolving into birds. Amidst this rich tapestry, meet Fujianvenator prodigiosus, a 150-million-year-old avialan theropod, the latest star from Zhenghe County.
This enigmatic creature, a “high-speed runner” in a “swamp-like” Jurassic habitat, challenges avian norms. Dr. Wang Min reveals its bizarre hindlimb architecture and elongated lower leg, hinting at a peculiar past—a swift sprinter or an avant-garde, long-legged wader among early birds.
Imagine a Jurassic-era wading bird, Fujianvenator, alongside wonders like the Cretaceous cormorant, Natoventator. The stage for these discoveries? A landscape sculpted by intense tectonic dances during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods in southeastern China.
Published in Science, this saga unfolds as the Zhenghe Fauna—a window into the Late Jurassic terrestrial ecosystem, offering insights that transcend time. Dr. Zhou Zhonghe declares this find a “new window,” promising more revelations as the team continues their exploration of Zhenghe and its mysterious neighbors.
The evolution of birds from dinosaurs just got a whole lot stranger and infinitely more fascinating!
China, a realm of invention—paper, fireworks, zippers—and beneath its soil, a paleontological marvel: dinosaurs evolving into birds. Amidst this rich tapestry, meet Fujianvenator prodigiosus, a 150-million-year-old avialan theropod, the latest star from Zhenghe County.
This enigmatic creature, a “high-speed runner” in a “swamp-like” Jurassic habitat, challenges avian norms. Dr. Wang Min reveals its bizarre hindlimb architecture and elongated lower leg, hinting at a peculiar past—a swift sprinter or an avant-garde, long-legged wader among early birds.
Now, imagine a Jurassic-era wading bird, Fujianvenator, strolling alongside wonders like the Cretaceous cormorant, Natoventator. The stage for these discoveries? A landscape sculpted by intense tectonic dances during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods in southeastern China.
Published in Science, this saga unfolds as the Zhenghe Fauna—a window into the Late Jurassic terrestrial ecosystem, offering insights that transcend time. Dr. Zhou Zhonghe declares this find a “new window,” promising more revelations as the team continues their exploration of Zhenghe and its mysterious neighbors.
And just when you thought the evolution of birds from dinosaurs couldn’t get more captivating, Fujianvenator strides onto the scene, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Earth’s ancient theater!