[D] Judinornis nogontsavensis [~/~]
Describer
Nessov & Borkin, 1983
Time
Cretaceous Late Maastrichtian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Maniraptora Avialae Ornithothoraces Ornithurae [Hesperonithiformes] [Baptornithidae]
Fossilsite
Nemegt Formation, Nogoon Tsav Locality, Bayankhongor, Aimag, Mongolia
Info
Holotype
PO 3389, incomplete thoaric vertebra. The articular surfaces of the centrum of the thoaric vertebra are trapezoid-shaped and extend transversely. The ventral side of the centrum is distinctly narrowed in the middle but very broad caudally and the cranial zygapophyses are located close together on the centerline.
Judinornis nogontsavensis was originally referred to the Charadriiformes (Nessov and Borkin, 1983). Later, it was referred to the Baptornithidae (Nessov, 1986; 1992), but without any character evidence Judinornis nogontsavensis is the first hesperonithiform to be recorded from the Old World.
It is a middle sized bird, the vertebral body of the type thoaric vertebra measuring 14.1 mm. in length between the articular surfaces. The vertebra shows a very expanded caudal ventral surface of the body. narrow cranial zygapophyses, very deep pleurocoels, and transversely expanded cranial and caudal articular surfaces which are characteristic of hesperornithiformes.
Martin and Tate (1976) noted a small pit lying directly anterior to the diapophysis in the trunk vertebrae of Baptornis advenus and this is also present in Judinornis nogontsavensis Nessov and Borkin, 1983. The flat ventral side of the body is another character which might also be apomorphic for the Baptornithidae and circular pits in the articular surfaces of the centra of the thoaric vertebrae are also found in Baptornis and Judinornis. (Kurochkin, 2000)
Nessov & Borkin, 1983
Time
Cretaceous Late Maastrichtian
Classification
Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Maniraptora Avialae Ornithothoraces Ornithurae [Hesperonithiformes] [Baptornithidae]
Fossilsite
Nemegt Formation, Nogoon Tsav Locality, Bayankhongor, Aimag, Mongolia
Info
Holotype
PO 3389, incomplete thoaric vertebra. The articular surfaces of the centrum of the thoaric vertebra are trapezoid-shaped and extend transversely. The ventral side of the centrum is distinctly narrowed in the middle but very broad caudally and the cranial zygapophyses are located close together on the centerline.
Judinornis nogontsavensis was originally referred to the Charadriiformes (Nessov and Borkin, 1983). Later, it was referred to the Baptornithidae (Nessov, 1986; 1992), but without any character evidence Judinornis nogontsavensis is the first hesperonithiform to be recorded from the Old World.
It is a middle sized bird, the vertebral body of the type thoaric vertebra measuring 14.1 mm. in length between the articular surfaces. The vertebra shows a very expanded caudal ventral surface of the body. narrow cranial zygapophyses, very deep pleurocoels, and transversely expanded cranial and caudal articular surfaces which are characteristic of hesperornithiformes.
Martin and Tate (1976) noted a small pit lying directly anterior to the diapophysis in the trunk vertebrae of Baptornis advenus and this is also present in Judinornis nogontsavensis Nessov and Borkin, 1983. The flat ventral side of the body is another character which might also be apomorphic for the Baptornithidae and circular pits in the articular surfaces of the centra of the thoaric vertebrae are also found in Baptornis and Judinornis. (Kurochkin, 2000)