A comprehensive illustrated guide to the birds of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and their dinosaurian forebears. Each species is illustrated in multiple views with size and distinguishing features highlighted. Includes introduction summarizing current research into bird origins and evolution, and what we know (and don't know) about the life appearance and habits of the first birds.
Author(s): Matthew P. Martyniuk
Publisher: Pan Aves
Year: 2012
Language: English
Pages: 194
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication Page
Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Defining "Birds"
Bird Origins & Evolution
Bird Ancestry
The Origin of Feathers
The First Birds
Mesozoic Bird Diversity
The Evolution of Flight
Restoring Mesozoic Birds
Feathers &Wings
Beaks &Teeth
Feather Color
Guide to Mesozoic Birds
About the Guide
Basal Caenagnathiformes
Caenagnathoids
Basal Eumaniraptorans & Deinonychosaurians
Microraptorians
Eudromaeosaurians
Unenlagiines
Troodontids
Basal Avialans
Basal Enantiornitheans
Eoenantiornithiformes
Cathayornithiformes
Enantiornithiformes
Basal Euornitheans
Patagopterygiformes
Derived Euornitheans & Basal Carinatans
Avians
Hesperornitheans
Appendix A: Excluded Species
Appendix B: Clade Definitions
Appendix C: Evolutionary Linnaean Classification
Glossary
References
