Longchengornis

Longchengornis is a genus of enantiornithean birds which lived during the early Cretaceous Period, about 120 mya, and is known from a fossil found in the Jiufotang Formation in Liaoning province, People's Republic of China. It contains the single species L. sanyanensis, though some researchers believe this to be a synonym of the similar species Cathayornis yandica.[1]

Longchengornis
Temporal range: Early Cretaceous, 120 Ma
↓
Holotype specimen of L. sanyanensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: †Enantiornithes
Genus: †Longchengornis
Hou, 1997
Species:
†L. sanyanensis
Binomial name
†Longchengornis sanyanensis
Hou, 1997

The type species Longchengornis sanyanensis was in 1997 named and described by Hou Lianhai. The generic name Longchengornis combines the older name of Chaoyang, Longcheng or "Dragon City", with a Greek ornis, "bird". The specific name refers to the Sanyan, the "Three Yan" as the discovery was made on the former territory of the three Yan kingdoms: the Former Yan, the Later Yan and the Northern Yan.[2]

Longchengornis sanyanensis is known from a single, partially articulated fossil skeleton and partial skull, holotype IVPP V10530. It is characterized by a wide humerus (upper arm bone) expanded at the shoulder joint, where there was a unique circular depression in the deltopectoral crest. The species had long, slender legs with large, hooked claws. The upper arm was slightly shorter than the lower arm, and the hand retained at least two claws.[2]

References
  1. Zhou Z. and Wang Y. (2010). "Vertebrate diversity of the Jehol Biota as compared with other lagerstätten." Science China: Earth Sciences, 53(12): 1894–1907. doi:10.1007/s11430-010-4094-9 Archived 2013-10-29 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Hou, Lianhou (1997). Mesozoic Birds of China (PDF). Phoenix Valley Provincial Aviary of Taiwan.


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