Fossil reveals bizarre gliding creature that hunted birds 120 million years ago
Scientists have identified a new species of microraptor, Jian changmaensis, from a 120-million-year-old fossil found in China's Gansu province. This discovery expands the known geographical range and timeline of these gliding, bird-like dinosaurs.
Why it matters
The find provides critical data on the evolution of flight and the ecological history of the Changma Basin.
A 120-million-year-old microraptor fossil was found in China s Changma Basin. The fossil, named Jian changmaensis, expands the known range of microraptors. Jian changmaensis provides insights into the origins of avian flight and bird evolution. BEIJING — A 120 million-year-old fossil found in what's now northwestern China is changing how scientists think about an unusual group of predatory dinosaurs known as microraptors.
Scientific reporting based on peer-reviewed research.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in