Which specific location within the Tiaojishan Formation yielded fossils vital for understanding avian relatives in the Jurassic?
Answer
The Daohugou Beds
The Daohugou Beds represent a critical assemblage of fossils situated within the broader Tiaojishan Formation. These beds are vital for understanding the diversification of avian relatives during the Jurassic period. The significance of this specific assemblage is underscored by the fact that it yielded both *Xiaotingia* and *Aurornis*, allowing scientists to compare two distinct, contemporaneous lineages within the same ancient paleoenvironment, thereby offering a unique snapshot of localized evolutionary experimentation.
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?