Confuciusornithidae

Confuciusornithids Temporal range: Early Cretaceous, 131–120 Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Fossil specimen of Confuciusornis sanctus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Clade:	†Confuciusornithiformes
Family:	†Confuciusornithidae Hou et al., 1995
Type species
Confuciusornis sanctus Hou et al., 1995
Genera
Changchengornis Confuciusornis Eoconfuciusornis Yangavis

Confuciusornithidae is an extinct family of early birds known from the Early Cretaceous, found in northern China. They are descended from theropod dinosaurs and appeared about 27 million years after the genus Archaeopteryx, the first discovered transitional dinosaur between dinosaurs and birds. They are commonly placed as a sister group to Ornithothoraces, a group that contains all extant birds along with their closest extinct relatives. Confuciusornithidae consists of four genera, with type-specimens possessing both shafted and non-shafted (downy) feathers. They are also noted for their distinctive pair of ribbon-like tail feathers of disputed function.

The wing anatomy of confuciusornithids suggests an unusual flight behavior, due to anatomy that implies conflicting abilities. They possess feathers similar to those of fast-flapping birds, which rely on quick flapping of their wings to stay aloft. At the same time, their wing anatomy also suggests a lack of flapping ability. Confusiusornithids are also noted for their beak and lack of teeth, similar to modern birds. Both predators and prey, confuciusornithid fossils have been observed with fish remains in their digestive systems and have themselves been found in the abdominal cavities of Sinocalliopteryx, a compsognathid predator.

Classification

Confuciusornithidae was first named by Hou et al. in 1995 to contain the type genus, Confuciusornis, and assigned to the monotypic clade Confuciusornithiformes within class Aves.^[1] The group was given a phylogenetic definition by Chiappe, in 1999, who defined a node-based clade Confuciusornithidae to include only Changchengornis and Confuciusornis.^[2]

There are a number of features that define the clade. The most significant is the presence of a toothless jaw, which shows a more birdlike adaptation compared to archaeopteryx. The other defining features are as follows, according to Chiappe et al. 1999, who defined the genus.^[2]

• There is a fork in the rostral (front) part of the mandibular symphysis, the area where the mandibles fuse together.
• The presence of a distinct maxillary fenestra (breathing hole) in the maxilla’s ascending ramus.
• The deltopectoral crest of the humerus is prominent, which allows for increased muscle attachment for adductor muscles.
• The first metacarpal is not attached by bone to the other co-ossified metacarpals.
• The claw of the second manual digit is much smaller than the other claws.
• A V-shape in the sternum in the caudal end.
• The proximal phalanx of the third digit is much smaller than the other phalanges.

Confuciusornithidae is the most basal group of the clade Pygostylia, which consists of all birds that contain a pygostyle, a fused set of caudal vertebrae that functioned as a short tail, replacing longer reptilian tails such as those present in Archaeopteryx.^[2] This change functions to improve flight. Pygostilia includes all modern birds, the only living members of the clade.

Additional members have been added to Confuciusornitidae since 1999. Jinzhouornis was added by Hou, Zhou, and Zhang in 2002,^[3] and in 2008, Zhang, Zhou and Benton assigned the newly described genus Eoconfuciusornis to the family.^[4]

Biogeography

Most confuciusornithids are known from the upper Jehol group, the Yixian Formation, and Jiufotang Formation, dating from 125 to 120 million years ago. E. zhengi, however, predated the other confuciusornithids by 6 million years, dating to 131 Ma ago.

Anatomy

Size of different genera, compared to a human.

The entire body of confuciusornithids was covered in contour feathers, except for the foot, base of beak, and the tarsometatarsus, the bone directly attached to the foot.^[5] It appears that they may also have had down feathers.^[5]

The beaks of confuciusornithids show development of modern birdlike characteristics, such as a large beak and lack of teeth. The premaxilla and dentary are larger than archaeopteryx, while also lacking teeth.^[6] The anterior of these bones shows evidence of vasculature and innervation, implying the presence of a beak.^[2] The lack of recovery of this structure indicates that the beak had a soft horny sheath. The softness of the beak along with the innervation suggest that the beak was sensitive, making it useful for searching for prey.^[5]

An illustration of the Confuciusornithid wing, showing the enlarged first digit and avian shape.

Much of its anatomy resembles that of archaeopteryx, especially the pectoral girdle and forelimbs.^[6] It is better adapted for flight than archaeopteryx, due to the elimination of two thoracic vertebrae.^[6] The development of a pygostyle also shows better adaptation for flight, as this replaces the long tails present in earlier birds.^[2] Similar to archaeopteryx, confuciusornithids possess a large first digit with a hook. The digit implies a climbing lifestyle, as they serve to allow for hooking onto the grooves of trees. A similar anatomy and function is seen in the nestlings of the Hoatzin, an extant South American bird.

The biomechanics of the wing itself are quite contentious due to a combination of traits that imply different modes of flight.^[7] Confuciusornithids possess long primary feathers similar to those of modern fast-flapping birds, as opposed to gliding birds which have short primaries relative to their size.^[7] However, the narrowness of the wings of confuciusornithids along with the lack of upstroke ability during flapping motion seem to preclude the ability to flap their wings quickly.^[7] Thus, they may have relied upon a flight method that no longer exists in modern birds.

The hindlimbs of confuciusornithids do not resemble that of living birds.^[5] They were bad runners, with feet curved in a way that implies it did not move on the ground.

The long feathers of the tail (central retrices) of confuciusornithids are of disputed function. Sexual dimorphism is an explanation, with males presumed to possess the feathers as a mating display.^[8] However, it has been argued that the long retrices were instead used as a defense against predators, as many birds shed feathers to protect themselves. The observation that less than 10% of confuciusornithid fossils possess these feathers supports this, as they may be shed either in response to predators, or to the stress of the sudden death that produced the fossils.^[8]

Paleoecology

Sinocalliopteryx gigas feeding on Confuciusornis sanctus, a member of Confuciusornithidae.

Confuciusornithids were first thought to be herbivorous due to the lack of teeth.^[5] However, the anatomy of confuciusornithids is not adapted for plant consumption, as gastroliths have never been found, nor does the weak rhamphotheca of the beak allow for grinding. Instead, the beak of confuciusornithids appear to be sensitive enough to assist in food acquisition and capable of holding potential prey. This beak type is well adapted for skimming prey off of the top of a body of water.^[5] Large numbers of fossils appear to originate from the tops of freshwater lakes, further supporting the water feeding connection. The remains of fish have been found in fossils of C. Sanctus.^[9] Confuciusornithids appear to be unable to take off from water and lack the adaptations necessary to live aquatically.^[5] Thus, it appears that they flew along the surface of the water, using their beak to search for fish.

Confuciusornithid remains have been found in the abdominal contents of Sinocalliopteryx gigas, a comsognathid predator during the Early Cretaceous.^[10] Multiple confuciusornithids were present in the remains, implying that they were all captured in a short time.^[10]

Confuciusornithids appear to be social birds, as concurrently buried confuciusornithid fossils are often found in close proximity.^[5]

Reproduction

A recent study has indicated that confuciusornithids could not have incubated their eggs like modern birds do.^[11] Other paravians (including Deinonychus) and pterosaurs are known to be superprecocial and able to fly soon after birth,^[12][13][14] but for now there are no unambiguous confuciusornithid juveniles to attest this.

References