Longipteryx

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iLongipteryx
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Subclass: Enantiornithes? Superorder: Euenantiornithes? Order: Longipterygidae (disputed) Genus: Longipteryx Species: L. chaoyangensis
Binomial name
Longipteryx chaoyangensis

Longipteryx is a genus of prehistoric birds which lived during the Cretaceous. It contains a single species, Longipteryx chaoyangensis^[1]. Its remains have been recovered from the Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning, PRC.

Its affiliations are not resolved. While it has been sometimes included in the Enantiornithes, it may be closer to the common ancestor of them and modern birds. A distinct order, Longipterygidae, has been proposed for it, but this move is generally regarded as premature.

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ Etymology: Longipteryx, "one with long remiges", from Latin longi-, "long" + Ancient Greek pteryx, "wing", "feather" or "pinion". chaoyangensis, Latin for "from Chaoyang".