Palaeopteryx thomsoni was named by Jensen (1981),[1] then re-described by Jensen and Padian (1989).[2] At that time the binomial Palaeopteryx thomsoni was deemed invalid by Jensen.[1]
Size of P. thomsoni (orange) compared to other small theropods
One notable specimen found alongside the holotype of Palaeopteryx is the right femur of a derived maniraptoran theropod (BYU 2023).[1] BYU 2023 is missing the distal end and is about 63 millimetres (2+1⁄2 in) long. It is probably too small to be from the same individual as BYU 2022. BYU 2023 shows apomorphies known only in advanced maniraptorans, including Microvenator, Microraptor, and Archaeopteryx.[1]
Description
The holotype bone is about 45 millimetres (1+3⁄4 in) long. It was described by Jensen (1981) as an "avian – like" proximal left tibiotarsus.[1] It was then listed by Molnar (1985) in a survey of the earliest known birds. Jensen and Padian (1989) reidentified it as the distal right radius of "a small deinonychosaur or bird".[2]
Classification
Palaeopteryx has been the subject of much confusion on the internet, in the popular scientific press, and among creationist writers. It has been described as a possible bird older than Archaeopteryx,[1] but it cannot be clearly assigned to Avialae, and its horizon is younger than that of Archaeopteryx, though it is still from the Jurassic.[2]
Palaeopteryx is currently classified as a member of the Paraves, within Theropoda.[2]
References
^ abcdefghJensen, James A. (1981). "Another look at Archaeopteryx as the world's oldest bird". Encyclia. 58: 109–128.
^ abcdJensen, James A.; Padian, Kevin (1989). "Small pterosaurs and dinosaurs from the Uncompahgre fauna (Brushy Basin member, Morrison Formation: ?Tithonian), Late Jurassic, western Colorado". Journal of Paleontology. 63 (3): 364–373. doi:10.1017/S0022336000019533. S2CID130246056.
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