Some commissioned pieces from recent publications either used within the research paper or for press releases
Artist contact info within each taxon’s description
Fortipesavis prehendens (“Gripping strong-footed bird”)
(unknown length). The specimen dates to approximately 98 million years ago, or the middle to upper Albian. The amber specimen preserves a three-dimensional cast of a single foot with high detail including plantar pad texture, claw curvature, and an atypical and diagnostic mediolaterally wide fourth digit. This bird likely implemented this strong yet odd foot morphology in gripping behaviors perhaps in contexts where perches were often blow, unstable, or otherwise difficult to grasp. Diet: currently unknown. Characteristics: The unique foot morphology, though limited, is easily diagnosable. Fortipesavis preserves plantar pads similar to extant birds who live among the trees (i.e., arboreal). The total width of the fourth digit is nearly twice that of digits II or III. Doi:10.3389/fevo.2021.654156. Artwork by Ville Sinkkonen - villesink@gmail.com
Anurognathus ammoni (The “frog-jawed” pterosaur)
(Wingspan ~ 50cm). Anurognathids have been found in North America, Europe, and parts of China ranging from the Jurassic to the Cretaceous. Unlike most long-skulled pterosaurs, the anurognathids were wide mouthed, similar to today’s swifts and swallows. Morphology of the teeth reflect piercing actions, and the dimensions of the skull (and gape) compared to living birds reflects insectivorous behaviors. Not only this, but the proportional size of the orbits suggest great low-light vision - possibly making it a crepuscular or nocturnal insect hunter. This group represents a significant deviation from the norm concerning pterosaurs. Diet: Likely insectivorous perhaps during the evening, night, and morning. Characteristics: A squat-wide head with large gape. About the size of modern day thrushes to slightly larger. Doi: 10.1111/joa.13814. Artwork by Rudolf Hima - Rudolfhimawan@gmail.com.
LONGIPTERYGIDAE
Longipteryx chaoyangensis (“Long-winged bird from Chaoyang”)
(20 – 30 cm). Located within the Jehol paleobiota, Northeastern China, approximately 120 million years ago. Specimens preserving feathers (IVPP and STM) show that the remiges (wing feathers) were lined with black pigment. Additionally, though no specimens recovered preserve elongate tail feathers, the closely related Shanweiniao does, making their appearance in certain members of this genus plausible. Diet: currently unknown, but morphometrics of the teeth and body suggest an arboreal insectivore, possibly supplementing its diet with small vertebrates. Characteristics: The largest longipterygid, Longipteryx is an enantiornithine with a long rostrum with distally-restricted teeth. These teeth are proportionally large and crenulated along their apicodistal margin. Doi: 10.7717/peerj.15139. Artwork by Ville Sinkkonen - villesink@gmail.com.
Imparavis attenboroughi (“Attenborough’s odd bird”)
(19.2 cm). Located within the Jehol paleobiota, Northeastern China, approximately 120 million years ago. The fossil specimen exhibits rather large muscle atteachment points in the upper arm which suggests a strong or fast wing beat. Oddly, this is the earliest toothless enantiornithine. The loss of teeth may be associated with diet, but this remains equivocal. Diet: currently unknown, but attributes of the forelimbs and hindlimbs suggests both arboreality and terrestrial behaviors, perhaps foraging for fruits and seeds on the forest floor. Characteristics: A thrush-sized toothless enantiornithine which exhibits powerful forelimbs to possibly burst vertically into the canopy to evade predators. Doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2024.105867. Artwork by Ville Sinkkonen - villesink@gmail.com
“It is a great honour to have one’s name attached to a fossil, particularly one as spectacular and important as this. It seems the history of birds is more complex than we knew.” - Quote from Sir David Attenborough concerning Imparavis attenboroughi
Official press release HERE Chicago Sun Times HERE CNN News HERE
