How does the age of *Xiaotingia* compare temporally to the *Archaeopteryx* fossils found in Solnhofen, Germany?
Answer
*Xiaotingia* predates the slightly younger Tithonian stage rocks containing *Archaeopteryx*.
The temporal placement of *Xiaotingia zhengi* is firmly in the Late Jurassic, but this contrasts with the specimens of *Archaeopteryx* recovered from the Solnhofen area in Germany, which are found in slightly younger Tithonian stage rocks. Although this difference might appear small within the vast Mesozoic Era, this temporal offset suggests that *Xiaotingia* occupied a distinct ecological niche or represented a separate, contemporaneous evolutionary path compared to the famous Bavarian feathered fossil. This difference in timing is a significant factor when mapping out the diversification timeline of early avialans.
Related Questions
In which geological formation were the remains of *Xiaotingia zhengi* recovered?To what epoch do the sedimentary rocks containing *Xiaotingia zhengi* date?What feature was evidenced on the forelimbs of *Xiaotingia* found at the Tiaojishan site?What specific term describes the extraordinary fossil preservation quality of the Tiaojishan Formation site?What structures are compared between *Xiaotingia* and *Archaeopteryx* to aid in resolving taxonomic placement?How does the age of *Xiaotingia* compare temporally to the *Archaeopteryx* fossils found in Solnhofen, Germany?What was the initial taxonomic classification assigned to *Xiaotingia* by researchers?Which specific location within the Tiaojishan Formation yielded fossils vital for understanding avian relatives in the Jurassic?What potential function, other than powered flight, is suggested for the pennaceous feathers of *Xiaotingia*?What environmental condition likely resulted in the exceptional preservation of soft tissues in the Tiaojishan Formation?