Songlingornis

• Jiufotang lineup at Boluochi at Chaoyang (China)

Songlingornis (松岭 鸟) is a prehistoric bird genus from the Lower Cretaceous, the fossils in the Jiufotang lineup Liaoning (China ) have been found. The age of the source rock is still controversial, but is expected to be at approximately 120 million years, ie lower Aptian. Previously, only one type is known - Songlingornis linghensis.

Etymology

The neologism Songlingornis derives from the northeast-southwest trending ridge of Songling and the ancient Greek όρνις ( ornis ) for birds. Songling this context, " pine ridge ". The species name linghensis based on the He- Ling rivers Daling He ( Big Ling He) and Xiaoling He ( Small Ling He).

Description

Songlingornis was about the size of a sparrow. In the holotype ( IVPP number V.10913 ) is an incomplete skeleton with skull parts. Upper and lower jaws were narrow and elongated and covered with dense rows of teeth. The coracoid was well developed and the narrow leg extension was the modern waterfowl already similar.

System

Songlingornis was a close relative of Yanornis and Yixianornis, with whom he formed a monophyletic group of early modern birds. Some researchers consider Songlingornis as identical with the genus Yanornis (since Yanornis was described later as Songlingornis, the taxon should, logically called Songlingornithidae ). This view is not shared by all experts.