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Re: A new maniraptoran dinosaur from Liaoning


A NEW MANIRAPTORAN DINOSAUR FROM THE EARY CRETACEOUS YIXIAN
FORMATION OF WESTERN LIAONING
XU Xing, WANG Xiao-Lin
VERTEBRATA PALASIATICA Vol.41 No.3 pp.195-202
Abstract
A specimen collected from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation,
Jehol Group of Liaoning, China, represents a new genus and species
of maniraptoran theropod. It comprises almost complete articulated
pectoral girdles, forelimbs and some ribs and is here named
Yixianosaurus longimanus gen. et sp. nov. Diagnostic features of
the new species include manus 140% as long as humerus, manual
phalanx II-2 longer than metacarpal II, manual phalanx III-3 244%
as long as phalanx III-1, and manual phalanx III-2 bearing a proximo-
ventral heel. With the integuments preserved on the holotype specimen,
Y. longimanus represents the ninth feathered dinosaur species reported
from western Liaoning. The elongated penultimate phalanges of Y.longi-
manus indicate an improved grasping capability and might represent an
adaptation to the arboreal habit. The discovery of Y. longimanus
increases the diversity of theropod dinosaurs in the Jehol Fauna.



Is the third digit entirely elongate or just that particular phalanx? The hands are pretty long anyway, is the percentage taken from the second digit or the third?

I guess arboreal dinosaurs are coming out of the woodwork now. ^.- It's a shame for the lack of skull material.

Nick Gardner

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