Article
Nature 391, 147-152 (8 January 1998) | doi:10.1038/34356; Received 14 January 1997; Accepted 18 September 1997
An exceptionally well-preserved theropod dinosaur from the Yixian Formation of China
Pei-ji Chen1, Zhi-ming Dong2 & Shuo-nan Zhen3
- Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, Academia Sinica, 39 East Beijing Road, Nanjing 210008, People's Republic of China
- Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Academia Sinica, PO Box 643, Beijing 100044, People's Republic of China
- Beijing Natural History Museum, 126 Tien Qiao Street, Beijing 100050, People's Republic of China
Correspondence to: Pei-ji Chen1 Correspondence and requests for materials should be addressed to P-j.C. (e-mail: Email: lpsnigp@nanjing.jspta.chinamail.sprint.com.)
Abstract
Two spectacular fossilized dinosaur skeletons were recently discovered in Liaoning in northeastern China. Here we describe the two nearly complete skeletons of a small theropod that represent a species closely related to Compsognathus. Sinosauropteryx has the longest tail of any known theropod, and a three-fingered hand dominated by the first finger, which is longer and thicker than either of the bones of the forearm. Both specimens have interesting integumentary structures that could provide information about the origin of feathers. The larger individual also has stomach contents, and a pair of eggs in the abdomen.
