A landmark volume on the biology and evolution of early birds and their close relatives. The volume comprises of 14 chapters authored by 49 authors from more than 10 countries. Fossil pennaraptorans come in a huge array of shapes and sizes and lived in a range of habitats. However, they shrank drastically in their successful conquest of the skies. Today, they are only survived by the birds.
Author(s): Michael Pittman, Xing Xu
Series: Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, no. 440
Publisher: American Museum of Natural History
Year: 2020
440-0-FM
TITLE
CONTENTS
PREFACE
440-1-PITTMAN ET AL
SECTION 1
Chapter 1
Abstract
PennaraptorAN SYSTEMATICS ToDAY
DISCUSSIon
Methods
Main Nonavialan Pennaraptoran Analysis Discussed
Main Early-Diverging Avialan Analysis Discussed
Acknowledgments
References
440-2-PITTMAN ET AL
Chapter 2
Abstract
Background
Oviraptorosauria
Scansoriopterygidae
Dromaeosauridae
Troodontidae
Early Fossil Record of Crown Birds (Aves)
Acknowledgments
References
440-3-POL_GOLOBOFF
Chapter 3
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Phylogenetic Analysis
Resampling Support Measures
Identifying Unstable Taxa for Resampling Support Analysis
RESULTS
CONCLUSIONS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES
440-4-DING ET AL
Chapter 4
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Mesozoic Paleogeography
Geographic and Temporal Distribution Of Coelurosaurs
Ancestral Crown Avialan Biogeography
Methodology
Results
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
Acknowledgments
References
APPENDIX
440-5-FIELD ET AL
Chapter 5
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
Discrepancies between Molecular Divergence Times and the Bird Fossil Record
Variability and Circularity of Crown Bird Root Age Estimates
Modelling Rate Variation: Among-Lineage Rate Variation versus Fast Early Rates
Modelling Rate Variation: Life-History Evolution and Mass Extinctions
Plausibility of an ‘Accelerated’ Molecular Clock Early in Crown Bird History
Tree Priors: Modelling Lineage Diversification and Taxon Sampling
Biogeographic Dating to Bound Maximum Age Estimates
The Way Forward
CONCLUSIONS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
440-6 NEBREDA ET AL
SECTION 2
Chapter 6
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Materials
Manus Anatomy and Data Acquisition
Transformation to Procrustes Coordinate Data
Phylogenetic Hypothesis and Multivariate Statistics
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSIONS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES
440-7 WANG ET AL
Chapter 7
Abstract
Introduction
Biology of tooth development and replacement
Molecular basis for avian beak morphogenesis
Tracking beak evolution in nonavialan dinosaurs
Tracking beak evolution in the early evolution of birds
Evolutionary origin of avian beak
Early Understanding of Avian Tooth loss
Neo-Darwinian Interpretations of the Macroevolution of Avian Beaks
Epigenetic Evidence
Discussion
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
REFERENCES
440-8 MA ET AL
Chapter 8
ABstract
Introduction
Materials and methods
Materials
Comparative Anatomy
Functional Analysis
RESULTS
Comparative Anatomy
Cranium
Mandible
Functional Comparison
Discussion
CONCLUSIONS
Acknowledgments
References
440-9 ROY ET AL
Chapter 9
ABSTRACT
Introduction
Materials and methods
Decay Experiments to Investigate the Geometry of Microbial Cells
Measurements and Statistical Data Analysis
SURVEY OF BEDDING PLANES IN EXCEPTIONALLY PRESERVED FOSSILS
Results
Decay Experiments on Isolated Feathers and Carcasses
Statistical Appraisal of the Geometrical Similarity in Melanosomes, Fossil Microbodies, and Decay-A
Survey of Fossil-Bearing Bedding Planes
Discussion
Decay Experiments
Statistical Analyses of Microbody Geometry
Investigation of Bedding Planes in Exceptionally Preserved Fossils
Melanins beyond the Metazoa: Not All that is Black, Brown, or Red is Eumelanin/Pheomelanin
Microbial Melanin Neither Yields Melanosomelike Bodies Nor Is Chemically Identical to Animal Melanin
Criteria for Fossil Melanin/Melanosome Identification
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
440-10 PITTMAN ET AL
SECTION 3
Chapter 10
Abstract
Introduction
Form-Function RElAtionships
DISCUSSION
REFERENCES
440-11 DECECCHI ET AL
Chapter 11
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Powered versus Nonpowered Flight Potential
Results
Morphometric Patterns
Loading and Lift Generations
Gliding Flight
Powered Flight and Takeoff
Discussion
Conclusions
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
References
440-12 LARSSON ET AL
Chapter 12
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
Methods
Results
Discussion
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES
440-13 SERRANO ET AL
Chapter 13
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
Body-Drag Estimation
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Fossil and Estimations
Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence (LSF)
Flight Dynamics Modelling
RESULTS
DISCUSSION
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES
440-14 NOVAS ET AL
Chapter 14
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
COMPARATIVE ANATOMY
WAIR PERFORMANCE AMONG LIVING BIRDS
DISCUSSION
SUMMARY
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
REFERENCES
