Epidendrosaurus: Encyclopedia II - Epidendrosaurus - Taxonomy

Epidendrosaurus - Taxonomy

The exact taxonomic placement of scansoriopterygids is currently uncertain. They are definitely maniraptoran theropod dinosaurs, and share many features in common with birds. They may be close reletives of deinonychosaurs, or avians themselves. The structure of their hands bears some similarity to the feathered maniraptoran Yixianosaurus.

There has been some degree of uncertainty regarding the status of the name Epidendrosaurus. This dinosaur was described online only a few months before a very similar species, Scansoriopteryx heilmanni, and it was not published in print until after Scansoriopteryx. These two dinosaurs are so similar that they may be the same genus, in which case the name published first would have priority. The body which sets the rules for the naming of organisms, the ICZN, has seen an amendment to the code that would favor the name Epidendrosaurus if/when formally adopted.[1]

Known specimens:

• Zhang Specimen (IVPP-V12653, the holotype): This specimen consists mostly of bone imprints in both part and counter part. Impressions indicate a relatively long tail.
• Czerkas Specimen (CAGS02-IG-gausa-1/DM 607): The type specimen of Scansoriopteryx heilmanni. The paper describes wispy, hair-like impressions seen around select parts of the body, forming V-shaped patterns similar to those seen in modern down feathers. The most prominent feather impressions trail from the left forearm and hand. The tail is short compared to the Zhang Specimen, but part of the tail may have been sheared off in the separating of the rock slabs. If the tail turns out to be truly short, it would confirm that this specimen represents a distinct genus and species.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Taxonomy", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki