What characteristic leg bone proportion in Xiaotingia suggests an adaptation for running speed?
Answer
Tibia noticeably longer than the femur
A defining characteristic utilized in classifying Xiaotingia relates to the proportions of its hind limbs, specifically that the tibia, the lower leg bone, was noticeably longer in length compared to the femur, the thigh bone. This specific ratio, where the Tibia is greater than the Femur ($Tibia > Femur$), is widely recognized in paleontology as an indicator of adaptation for speed on the ground, meaning the animal was likely cursorial. This suggests that this particular evolutionary path prioritized swift terrestrial movement, providing insight into the lifestyles of dinosaurs closely related to the bird lineage prior to the development of powered flight.
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What specific geological age characterized the Late Jurassic epoch when Xiaotingia zhengi existed?In which present-day Chinese province were the remains of Xiaotingia zhengi unearthed?Within which major clade is Xiaotingia specifically nested, placing it among the most bird-like dinosaurs?What characteristic leg bone proportion in Xiaotingia suggests an adaptation for running speed?Which family do some modern phylogenetic studies suggest Xiaotingia belongs within or directly alongside, grouping it with Anchiornis?What is the catalog designation for the holotype specimen of Xiaotingia zhengi used by scientists?How does the tail length of Xiaotingia generally compare to many other theropods of a similar evolutionary grade?Xiaotingia's proximity places it near the foundational split of which clade encompassing birds and dinosaurs more closely related to birds than Ornithomimosaurs?What complexity regarding trait acquisition does the placement of Xiaotingia suggest about features considered 'advanced' for bird origins?What does the significance of Xiaotingia lie more in, concerning its contribution to evolutionary studies?