Description | Compsognathidae is a family of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaurs. They were small carnivores, generally conservative in form, hailing from the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods. The bird-like features of these species, along with other dinosaurs such as Archaeopteryx inspired the idea for the connection between dinosaur reptiles and modern-day avian species. Compsognathid fossils preserve diverse integument — skin impressions are known from four genera commonly placed in the group, Compsognathus, Sinosauropteryx, Sinocalliopteryx, and Juravenator. While the latter three show evidence of a covering of some of the earliest primitive feathers over much of the body, Juravenator and Compsognathus also show evidence of scales on the tail or hind legs.
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Source Data | |
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Rank | family |
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Taxonomy (GBIF) | Life : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Sinosauropterygidae |
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Taxonomy (PBDB) | Life : Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Sinosauropterygiformes : Sinosauropterygidae |
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Taxonomic Status (GBIF) | accepted |
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Classification (PBDB,GBIF) | |
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Scientific Name | Sinosauropterygidae |
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Opinions (PBDB) | Name | Rank | Opinion | Evidence | Author |
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Sinosauropterygidae | family | belongs to Sinosauropterygiformes | stated without evidence | Ji and Ji, 1996 |
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Status (PBDB) | extinct |
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Taxon Size (PBDB) | 1 |
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Environment | terrestrial (based on Theropoda) |
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Motility | actively mobile (based on Theropoda) |
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Diet | carnivore (based on Coelurosauria) |
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Reproduction | oviparous, dispersal=direct/internal,mobile (based on Theropoda) |
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Ontogeny | accretion,modification of parts (based on Theropoda) |
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Taphonomy | hydroxylapatite,compact or dense (based on Theropoda) |
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Primary Reference (PBDB) | Q. Ji and S. Ji. 1996. [On discovery of the earliest bird fossil in China and the origin of birds]. Chinese Geology 10(233):30-33 |
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Wikipedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinosauropterygidae |
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