Maniraptoriformes
Lebendrektonstruktion of gigantoraptor, a Oviraptosaurier
- Worldwide
Maniraptoriformes is a taxon within the Coelurosauria and includes the systematic groups Ornithomimosauria and Maniraptora. It thus includes theropod dinosaurs from which emerged the birds.
Properties
With the exception of Therizinosaurier all original Maniraptoriformes were carnivores. For example, while living 150 million years ago Archaeopteryx was only about deaf great extent other Maniraptoriformes such as Therizinosaurus nearly ten feet in length. Accordingly, the weight under the Maniraptoriformes varied greatly. All were relatively easily built again with the exception of Therizinosaurier.
Fossil finds
Particularly in China, many fossils were discovered by the Maniraptoriformes belonging genera in recent years. Among some spring imprints were found in the fossils (eg Sinornithosaurus ). However, fossils have been found from the genera Maniraptoriformes also in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Australia.
The oldest fossils date back to around 160 million year old rocks.
Inside systematics
The following diagram shows the internal classification of Maniraptoriformes.
Ornithomimosauria
Therizinosauroidea
Alvarezsauroidea
Oviraptosauria
Troodontidae
Dromaeosauridae
Avialae (birds in the wider sense )