What animal is the closest to dinosaurs
Pro Research Analysisby 
Searched over 200M research papers
Consensus Meter
Closest Living Relatives to Dinosaurs: Insights from Dromaeosaurids
Introduction to Dromaeosaurids and Their Significance
Dromaeosaurids, a group of theropod dinosaurs, are among the closest relatives to modern birds. These creatures, often referred to as "feathered dinosaurs," provide critical insights into the evolutionary transition from non-avian dinosaurs to birds. The Early Cretaceous period in Liaoning Province, China, has yielded several significant dromaeosaurid fossils that illuminate this evolutionary pathway.
Feathered Dinosaurs and Bird Evolution
Zhenyuanlong suni: A Unique Dromaeosaurid
One notable discovery is Zhenyuanlong suni, a large-bodied, short-armed dromaeosaurid from the Early Cretaceous of Liaoning. This species is particularly significant due to its well-preserved integument, which reveals feather morphologies and distributions. Zhenyuanlong had large wings with pennaceous feathers on its arms and tail, similar to smaller dromaeosaurids, but likely lacked vaned feathers on its legs. This discovery adds to the diversity of the Liaoning dromaeosaurid fauna and highlights the complexity of dromaeosaurid phylogeny.
Microraptor zhaoianus: Bridging the Size Gap
Another critical find is Microraptor zhaoianus, the smallest known non-avian theropod dinosaur, also from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning. This species is smaller than the primitive bird Archaeopteryx, eliminating the size disparity between early birds and their closest non-avian theropod relatives. Microraptor exhibits several bird-like features, such as more bird-like teeth, a Rahonavis-like ischium, and a reduced number of caudal vertebrae. Its nearly completely articulated foot shows adaptations comparable to those of arboreal birds, providing new insights into the paleoecology of bird-like theropod dinosaurs.
Conclusion
The discoveries of Zhenyuanlong suni and Microraptor zhaoianus underscore the close evolutionary relationship between dromaeosaurids and modern birds. These findings from the Early Cretaceous of Liaoning, China, reveal critical aspects of feather evolution and morphological transitions that bridge the gap between non-avian dinosaurs and birds. Through these remarkable fossils, we gain a deeper understanding of the evolutionary lineage that connects ancient dinosaurs to the birds we see today.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic