Aberratiodontus

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Aberratiodontus Fossil range: Early Cretaceous
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Subclass: Enantiornithes? Superorder: Euenantiornithes? Order: Aberratiodontuiformes (disputed) Family: Aberratiodontuidae (disputed) Genus: Aberratiodontus Species: A. wui
Binomial name
Aberratiodontus wui

Aberratiodontus was a presumed enantiornithine bird which lived in the Early Cretaceous. The single species Aberratiodontus wui is sometimes considered a distinct order and family from other Euenantiornithes due to its peculiar teeth. Most scientists, due to the uncertainties of enantiornithine phylogeny, consider this premature however and place the present species as a euenantiornithine incertae sedis, or even entirely outside the Enantiornithes.

It is known from a complete skeleton, with some remains of feathers still visible. These have been found in rocks of the Jiufotang Formation of Shangheshou, PRC. A. wui had a well-developed sternum and consequently was likely a good flyer.

[edit] External links

• Specimen photo. Sternum outlined in white. Retrieved 2007-AUG-22.
• Photo of skull with teeth. Retrieved 2007-AUG-22.
• The Dinosauricon: Drawing of skull bones as found. By Michael Mortimer. Retrieved 2007-AUG-22.
• The Dinosauricon: Reconstruction of skull. By Michael Mortimer. Retrieved 2007-AUG-22.
• The Dinosauricon: Reconstruction of bird in life. By Brad McFeeters. Retrieved 2007-AUG-22.