Which clade did Senter et al. (2012) suggest *Xiaotingia* was the most primitive member of in a revised analysis?
Answer
Dromaeosauridae
Subsequent phylogenetic testing provided alternative evolutionary hypotheses that contrasted with the initial placement. A specific revised analysis conducted by Senter et al. in 2012 proposed a different arrangement for these closely related taxa. In this interpretation, *Xiaotingia* was suggested to be the most primitive or basal member found within the Dromaeosauridae clade. Conversely, in this same analysis, the closely allied genus *Anchiornis* was distinctly placed within the Troodontidae family. Such differing results highlight how weighting different skeletal characters—like the cranial morphology versus the manual phalanges—can shift the interpretation of the evolutionary relationships among Paraves.
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*?