What specific type of feather impressions were noted on the tibia and metatarsus of *Xiaotingia*?
Answer
Pennaceous types
The physical profile of *Xiaotingia* indicates significant feather coverage across much of its body, including the head, forelimbs, and hind limbs. Specific impressions observed on the lower leg bones, namely the tibia and metatarsus, were identified as long pennaceous types. Pennaceous feathers are complex, asymmetric feathers typically associated with flight surfaces or specialized display structures, distinct from simpler downy feathers. This type of evidence, coupled with limb morphology suggesting flapping potential, supports the hypothesis that *Xiaotingia* utilized its limbs, potentially including its feathery hind limbs acting as secondary wings, for activities like short-distance flight or gliding.
Related Questions
What is the holotype specimen ID for *Xiaotingia* found in the Tiaojishan Formation?Who was the genus name *Xiaotingia* chosen to honor regarding the holotype specimen?During which geologic interval did *Xiaotingia* live, estimated around 165 to 153 million years ago?What modern bird is *Xiaotingia*'s estimated size comparable to, given its small stature?What specific type of feather impressions were noted on the tibia and metatarsus of *Xiaotingia*?How did the femur length compare to the humerus length in *Xiaotingia*'s potentially flight-related arm structure?Which superorder assignment consistently includes *Xiaotingia* within the hierarchy leading to birds?Which grouping did the initial 2011 analysis controversially position *Xiaotingia* and *Anchiornis* within?Which clade did Senter et al. (2012) suggest *Xiaotingia* was the most primitive member of in a revised analysis?What evolutionary concept describes the acquisition of bird traits independently across several closely related lineages like those in the Yanliao Biota?What cranial feature does *Xiaotingia*'s shallow snout align it morphologically closer to, rather than basal avialans like *Jeholornis*?