The largest winged dinosaur ever found has been discovered in northeastern China’s Liaoning province.
The creature, which roamed the earth about 125 million years ago, measures two meters (about five feet) long, and is a type of dromaeosaur, a close relative of the velociraptor.
Researchers have reconstructed the dromaeosaur’s feathers from the extremely well preserved skeleton excavated from sedimentary rock in the Yixian formation (below). The top image is an artist's reconstruction of the winged raptor by Zhao Chuang.
The Zhenyuanlong suni – or Zhenyuan Sun’s dragon – was named after the man who secured the specimen for study, according to National Geographic.
“In general it is very bird-like, but it’s big, and has these very short arms with full-blown wings,” Edinburgh University paleontologist Steve Brusatte told The Guardian.
Covered in an impressive plumage, scientists reckon Zhenyuanlong was flightless, raising the question of the feathered wings’ purpose. Theories include using the wings to defend eggs, tackle prey, get a better grip on inclined surfaces or strut in a peacock-like display of sexual prowess.
A number of impressive new dino discoveries have been made in China recently. Earlier this year, a pioneering flying creature from the mid Jurassic period was unearthed and dubbed the 'Batman dinosaur' by local media and a very long-necked kong long was found near Chongqing. Liaoning province, where Zhenyuanlong was located, is particularly rich with pristine prehistoric fossils, apparently because of a volcanic eruption.
[Images via The Guardian]
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