Similicaudipteryx

• China, Liaoning ( Jiufotang Formation)

• Similicaudipteryx yixianensis

Similicaudipteryx is a genus theropod dinosaur from the group of Oviraptorosauria from the Lower Cretaceous Liaoning (China).

The only way Similicaudipteryx yixianensis was first described in 2008. Similicaudipteryx is regarded as a close relative of Caudipteryx and is filed together with this within the family Caudipteridae. It was a small, very bird -like, and probably feathered Maniraptore.

Fund and naming

Similicaudipteryx is indicated by a partial skeleton without skull known ( holotype, IVPP V Catalog number 12556 ), the hind legs among other things, almost completely preserved as well as the pelvic region. The find was made in about 110 million year old sediments (early to middle Aptian ), which are attributable to the Jiufotang lineup, a fossil-rich layer sequence of the Jehol Group.

The genus name Similicaudipteryx means " similar to Caudipteryx " and alludes to the closely related Caudipteryx, the Artepitheth yixianensis refers to the locality in the country Yixian in western Liaoning.

Features

Similicaudipteryx showed a number of features that are typical of Oviraptorosaurier ( synapomorphies ), as the short tail, which had only 23 to 26 caudal vertebrae, and short compared to the hind legs arms. Similarities to Caudipteryx showed in the iliac and in the bones of the foot. Unlike Caudipteryx Similicaudipteryx had a pygostyle - the last caudal vertebrae were fused together. This feature is otherwise known only from the Oviraptorosaurier Nomingia and the birds and could have supported a fan of feathers on the tail end. Other differences to Caudipteryx consist inter alia in the length ratios between ilium and pubis and between ilium and sacrum. Furthermore shows Similicaudipteryx large and deep hypapophyses and Pleurocoele ( excavations at the front) to the vertebrae.