What specific Deinonychosaur characteristic did Xiaotingia zhengi retain?
Answer
Highly extensible second toe
The highly extensible second toe is explicitly cited as a hallmark characteristic strongly associated with the Deinonychosaurs, a group which also includes predators like Velociraptor. The retention of this specific skeletal feature in Xiaotingia zhengi is a primary reason why its placement was contentious, forcing scientists to weigh it against its more bird-like characteristics, such as long forelimbs and the presence of feathers. This trait served to anchor Xiaotingia firmly within the broader theropod lineage that branched away from the direct line leading to modern birds, according to the initial phylogenetic analyses.
Related Questions
What specific Deinonychosaur characteristic did Xiaotingia zhengi retain?From which specific geological formation was the fossil Xiaotingia zhengi unearthed?What comparison was made between the size of Xiaotingia zhengi and Archaeopteryx?What anatomical proportion in Xiaotingia hinted at musculature necessary for flapping locomotion?What radical suggestion did the initial phylogenetic analysis imply regarding the diet of primitive birds?Which shared skeletal feature supported the initial grouping of Archaeopteryx with Deinonychosaurs?Which scientist voiced reservations, suggesting the conclusions about Archaeopteryx demotion were over-hyped?What characteristic of Xiaotingia zhengi's feathers was noted on its femur and suggested possible hindlimb wing use?What inherent risk in evolutionary study does relying too heavily on Archaeopteryx demonstrate?What core difficulty in classification does the contrasting anatomy of Xiaotingia force researchers to confront?