Hongshanornis

Hongshanornis
Temporal range: Early Cretaceous, 124.6–122 Ma
Fossil specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Clade: Saurischia
Clade: Theropoda
Clade: Avialae
Clade: Ornithuromorpha
Family: Hongshanornithidae
Genus: Hongshanornis
Zhou & Zhang, 2005
Species:
H. longicresta
Binomial name
Hongshanornis longicresta
Zhou & Zhang, 2005

Hongshanornis is a genus of ornithuromorph birds known from early Cretaceous lake deposits of the Yixian Formation, Inner Mongolia, China. The holotype specimen, recovered in 2005, is currently held by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology in Beijing. It was found in the Jianshangou fossil beds, dated to 124.6 million years ago.[1] Three additional specimens have been reported, though only one of those has been definitively identified as belonging to Hongshanornis.[2] This latter specimen was found in the Dawangzhangzi fossil beds, which are about 122 million years old.[1]

Hongshanornis is a member of the group Hongshanornithidae, to which it lent its name. It is closely related to Longicrusavis, which existed alongside Hongshanornis in the Dawangzhangzi ecosystem, and is very similar to the later Parahongshanornis from the Jiufotang Formation.[2]

  1. ^ a b Zhou, Z. (2006). "Evolutionary radiation of the Jehol Biota: chronological and ecological perspectives". Geological Journal. 41 (3–4): 377–393. doi:10.1002/gj.1045.
  2. ^ a b Chiappe, L. M.; Zhao, B.; o’Connor, J. K.; Chunling, G.; Wang, X.; Habib, M.; Marugan-Lobon, J.; Meng, Q.; Cheng, X. (2014). "A new specimen of the Early Cretaceous bird Hongshanornis longicresta: Insights into the aerodynamics and diet of a basal ornithuromorph". PeerJ. 2: e234. doi:10.7717/peerj.234. PMC 3898307. PMID 24482756.