Describer

Zhou, 2002

Time

Cretaceous Early ?Barremian

Classification

Saurischia Theropoda Tetanurae Coelurosauria Maniraptora Avialae Ornithothoraces Enantiornithes

Fossilsite

Jiufotang Formation, at Boluochi, in Chaoyang County, Liaoning, China

Info

Partial skeleton, disarticulated skull, neck, and upper part of the body, including complete forelimbs, coracoids, scapulae, sternum, ribs; 4 caudal vertebrae and part of a pygostyle.

The type specimen found in 1994 was originally identified as a fossil of Cathayornis but later identified as a bird from China more primitive than Cathayornis.

Holotype

V10916 (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Beijing)), found in the Early Cretaceous (Barremian?) Jiufotang Formation, at Boluochi, in Chaoyang County, Liaoning Province, northeast China. The jaws have teeth; the neck vertebrae (probably 11) are heterocoelous; the sternum has a low keel and a pair of caudo-lateral processes (projecting backwards). The digits on the hand have 2 phalanges with a small claw on the short first finger (alular), 3 phalanges with a claw on the long second (main wing) finger and 2 phalanges with a small claw on the third finger; the manus (25.5 mm) is slightly shorter than the forearm, and the ulna (26 mm) is 110% the length of the humerus (23.5 mm). The advanced features of the scapula and wing suggest Eocathayornis had powerful flapping capability; it probably had an alula, found in a number of other early enantiornithine birds, for control in landing.

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Zhou, Z. (2002) A New and primitive enantiornithine bird from the early Cretaceous of China. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology Vol. 22, Number 1 Pp. 49-57.

Abstract

A new Early Cretaceous enantiornithine bird, Eocathayornis walkeri, gen. et sp. nov. is reported from Liaoning, northeast China. It is about the size of Cathayornis but is more primitive. Teeth are present on the jaws. Claws are retained on three wing digits, but that of the minor digit is reduced. The width of the radius is nearly three-fourths that of the ulna. The sternum is relatively short, with a pair of long caudolateral processes and a low and caudally distributed keel. The coracoid is strut-like and caudally concave, typical of enantiornithine birds. The advanced features of the scapula and the wing suggest a powerful flapping flight capability. This bird is referred to the family Cathayornidae based on a few shared derived characters with Cathayornis.