Gobipteryx: Research Database
Enantiornithes (Aves) · Late Cretaceous (~70 MYA) · Asia — Mongolia (Gobi Desert)
Research Note: Gobipteryx is an important fossil taxon. See citations below for primary research literature.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bell & Chiappe 2009: Description of Gobipteryx as an enantiornithine bird from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia, establishing its phylogenetic position
Bell & Chiappe 2009 in Cretaceous Research provides foundational data on Gobipteryx
|
Confirmed | A | 9 | Fossil | Gobipteryx research in Cretaceous Research | Taxonomy |
|
Chiappe & Norell 2001: Additional data on Gobipteryx and enantiornithine bird diversity in the Cretaceous of Asia
Chiappe & Norell 2001 in American Museum Novitates provides additional data on Gobipteryx
|
Confirmed | B | 1 | Fossil | Gobipteryx research in American Museum Novitates | Systematics |
Active Debate
Active research continues on the systematics, phylogeny, and ecology of Gobipteryx.
What We Still Do Not Know About Gobipteryx
- Colouration: Unknown.
- Complete skeleton: Partial material known.
- Diet: Inferred from related taxa.
- Social structure: No direct evidence.
In Depth
Gobipteryx is a genus of enantiornithine that lived in Mongolia during the late Cretaceous. Studies of Gobipteryx show that Gobipteryx would have been capable of flight soon after hatching out from the egg. This would have given Gobipteryx a significant survival advantage in a world heavily populated by small theropod dinosaurs. Studies of the wings and muscle attachment points show that Gobipteryx would have easily been capable of powered flapping flight.
Further Reading
- Preliminary note on the palaeognathous bird from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia. - Palaeontologia Polonica 29:103-109. - Andrzej Elzanowski - 1974. – Skulls of Gobipteryx (Aves) from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia. – Palaeontologia Polonica 37 p. 153-166. – A. Elżanowski – 1977.
