New paper: Microraptor osteology

["Thomas R. Holtz, Jr." <tholtz@geol.umd.edu>]

Patience is rewarded.

Announcing the latest of the Yixian theropod papers:
HWANG, S.H., M.A. NORELL, JI Q., and GAO K.  2002.  New Specimens of
Microraptor zhaoianus (Theropoda: Dromaeosauridae) from Northeastern China.
American Museum Novitates 3381: 1?44.

For those with access to bioone.org, here's the URL for the HTML version:
http://www.bioone.org/bioone/?request=get-document&issn=0003-0082&volume=381
&issue=01&page=0001

Describes the type and two additional specimens of Microraptor.  It is the
basalmost dromaeosaurid in their phylogeny (if you use the Sereno
phylogenetic taxonomy, it's a dromaeosaurid; if you use Padian, Hutchinson &
me, it's outside Dromaeosauridae proper), being the sister taxon to a clade
comprised of Sinornithosaurus and a polytomy of all other dromaeosaurs.
Dromaeosauridae and Troodontidae are both in Deinonychosauria; Avialae is
the sister group to this.  Given the small size of basal birds, basal
troodontids (Sinovenator), and basal dromaeosaurids (Microraptor), they
argue that small body size is ancestral for eumaniraptorans.

Lots of nice anatomical close ups.  For Jim Farlow: they publish
measurements of the metatarsals and individual phalanges.  (Other parts of
the body, too, of course!)

As this critter has a laterally compressed metatarsal II and a robust
metatarsal IV, it suggests that these features are basal to
Deinonychosauria, and not actually troodontid features.  Some other
interesting features are a sharply bent scapulocoracoid, a laterally facing
glenoid, a humerus longer than the scapula, a sternum that articulates with
the coracoid anteriorly, free uncinate processes, and a reduced antiliac
shelf.

Cute little guy...

                Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
                Vertebrate Paleontologist
Department of Geology           Director, Earth, Life & Time Program
University of Maryland          College Park Scholars
                College Park, MD  20742
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/tholtz.htm
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~jmerck/eltsite
Phone:  301-405-4084    Email:  tholtz@geol.umd.edu
Fax (Geol):  301-314-9661       Fax (CPS-ELT): 301-405-0796