New Dinosaur Species Jian changmaensis Discovered in China, Likely Glided with Four Wings
Newfound velociraptor cousin probably glided on four 'wings' and hunted early birds

Image: Phys.org
Researchers have identified a new dinosaur species, Jian changmaensis, from a fossil bed in Gansu province, China. This cousin of the velociraptor, with a wingspan similar to a barn owl, likely glided using long feathers on its limbs and may have preyed on early birds.
- 01Jian changmaensis is a newly discovered species from the dromaeosaur family, found in the Changma Basin, Gansu province, China.
- 02The dinosaur likely had a wingspan of about four feet and glided using long feathers on its arms and legs.
- 03This species is the only non-avian dinosaur found at the site, providing insight into the ecological context of early birds.
- 04The discovery helps understand the evolutionary history of birds, which are the only surviving group of dinosaurs.
- 05The fossil bed contains numerous bird remains, suggesting a predatory relationship with Jian changmaensis.
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A new dinosaur species, Jian changmaensis, has been discovered in a fossil bed in the Changma Basin of Gansu province, China. This dinosaur, a cousin of the velociraptor, is distinguished by its long feathers on both its front and back limbs, suggesting it could glide using four 'wings'. The fossil, which includes a significant piece of its upper arm bone, indicates that Jian changmaensis had an estimated wingspan of about four feet, similar to that of a barn owl. Researchers believe this dinosaur was a carnivore that likely preyed on the numerous prehistoric birds found in the same fossil bed. The discovery of Jian changmaensis provides valuable insights into the ecological dynamics of the region during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods, highlighting the relationship between early birds and their non-avian dinosaur relatives. This finding contributes to our understanding of the evolutionary history of birds, which are the only surviving lineage of dinosaurs today.
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The discovery of Jian changmaensis enriches the understanding of the prehistoric ecosystem in Gansu province.
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