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Evaluating variation in Solnhofen avialans.

Jingmai O'Connor1, Jesús Marugán-Lobón2

  • 1Field Museum of Natural History , Chicago, IL, USA.

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Summary

The oldest fossil bird, Archaeopteryx, may represent a single species. Morphometric analysis of Solnhofen Limestone fossils suggests all specimens belong to one taxon, challenging previous classifications of early avian diversity.

Keywords:
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Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Comparative Anatomy

Background:

  • Archaeopteryx is the oldest known fossil bird, crucial for understanding avian origins.
  • Fifteen avialan fossils from the Solnhofen Limestones have been described, with 14 referred to Archaeopteryx.
  • Recent hypotheses suggest the Solnhofen sample includes multiple taxa (archaeopterygids, non-archaeopterygid avians, anchiornithines), but taxonomic consensus is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically examine taxonomic interpretations of Solnhofen avialans.
  • To determine if the Solnhofen avialan fossils represent a single taxon or multiple distinct taxa.
  • To investigate the taxonomic validity of genera like Ostromia and Alcmonavis.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of linear skeletal measurements from all Solnhofen avialan fossils.
  • Comparison of Solnhofen avialan morphometrics with the non-avian avialan Anchiornis.
  • Application of morphometrics to identify non-random patterns supporting taxonomic hypotheses.

Main Results:

  • Morphometric analysis strongly suggests all Solnhofen avialans belong to a single taxon exhibiting a consistent growth curve.
  • If multiple taxa are present, they are proportionately indistinguishable when accounting for growth.
  • The forelimb-to-body proportion increases with maturity in Solnhofen avialans, contrasting with Anchiornis, supporting non-volancy in anchiornithines.
  • The diagnostic features of Ostromia and Alcmonavis lack robust support for distinctiveness.

Conclusions:

  • All known Solnhofen avialans likely represent a single taxon, Archaeopteryx.
  • This finding challenges recent hypotheses of multiple taxa within the Solnhofen avialan sample.
  • The study supports the interpretation of anchiornithines as non-volant based on growth patterns.