In Depth
Xiangornis is a genus of enantiornithine bird from the early Cretaeous of China. The enantiornithine birds are considered separate from the ornithomorph birds, yet Xiangornis shows features that are common to both groups. Though this could simply be a case of convergent evolution with similar features being adapted by both groups, it has blurred the distinction line between these groups even further.
Further Reading
- A new enantiornithine bird from the Lower Cretaceous of Western Liaoning, China, and its implications for early avian evolution. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 32(3):639-645 - D. -Y. Hu, X. Xu, L. Hou & C. Sullivan - 2012.
