New Microraptor Species Discovered in China's Changma Basin

Researchers identified the specimen through an analysis of intact shoulder and forelimb bones. The name Jian reflects a one-winged bird from Chinese mythology, while changmaensis honors the site of the discovery. Published in the Annals of Carnegie Museum, the findings position this creature as the most recent definitive microraptor specimen found to date, extending the known timeline of these birdlike predators.

Dr. Matt Lamanna, a co-author of the study, noted that while the Changma Basin is famous for its abundance of bird fossils, this remains the only non-avian dinosaur identified in the region. The specimen provides a rare look at the ecological setting shared by the ancestors of modern birds. With feathers covering both its forelimbs and hind legs, the dinosaur possessed a unique four-winged appearance. Paleontologists suggest these creatures were capable of climbing trees and gliding between branches, much like modern flying squirrels, offering vital clues into the evolutionary origins of avian flight.