what is the closest species to dinosaurs

Introduction

The question of which species is closest to dinosaurs has intrigued scientists for decades. Recent paleontological discoveries and advanced imaging techniques have provided new insights into the evolutionary relationships between dinosaurs and modern species. This synthesis aims to present the most relevant findings from recent research papers to address this question.

Key Insights

Maniraptora and Birds: Maniraptora, a clade that includes birds and their closest relatives among theropod dinosaurs, shows significant evolutionary divergence during the Cretaceous period. This group evolved various ecomorphologies, including active flight and herbivory, indicating a close relationship between certain theropod dinosaurs and modern birds.
Dromaeosaurs and Birds: The dromaeosaurs, a group of theropod dinosaurs, are considered by many paleontologists to be the closest dinosaurian relatives of birds. Fossils like Microraptor, which is both small and feathered, further support this close relationship.

Conclusion

The closest species to dinosaurs are birds, specifically those within the Maniraptora clade. Among these, the dromaeosaurs are particularly significant, as they share many characteristics with modern birds, including feathers and other anatomical features. This close evolutionary relationship highlights the transition from non-avian theropod dinosaurs to avian species.

What is the closest species to dinosaurs

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Synchrotron scanning reveals amphibious ecomorphology in a new clade of bird-like dinosaurs

Halszkaraptor escuilliei, a new clade of bird-like dinosaurs, exhibits amphibious ecomorphology, convergent with short-tailed birds, and shows neck hyperelongation for food procurement.

Tiny, Feathered Dino Is Most Birdlike Yet

Microraptor is the smallest and most birdlike dinosaur yet discovered, belonging to the dromaeosaurs, which are considered the closest dinosaurian relatives of birds.

The smallest known non-avian theropod dinosaur

Microraptor zhaoianus is the first mature non-avian theropod dinosaur found smaller than Archaeopteryx, improving our understanding of the morphological transition to birds and their palaeoecology.

On the presence of Allosaurus fragilis (Theropoda: Carnosauria) in the Upper Jurassic of Portugal: first evidence of an intercontinental dinosaur species

Allosaurus fragilis is the first intercontinental dinosaur species found outside North America, suggesting a 'land bridge' between North America and Europe during the Late Jurassic.

Osteology and phylogeny of Zalmoxes (n. g.), an unusual Euornithopod dinosaur from the latest Cretaceous of Romania

Zalmoxes is a new genus of ornithopod dinosaur from Romania, with two distinct species and a 73 million-year-long ghost lineage, suggesting a long history of isolation in Europe.

A large, short-armed, winged dromaeosaurid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Early Cretaceous of China and its implications for feather evolution

Zhenyuanlong suni is a new genus and species of large-bodied, short-armed dromaeosaurid from the Early Cretaceous of China, providing new insights into feather evolution and dromaeosaurid phylogeny.

Osteohistology of the silesaurid Sacisaurus agudoensis from southern Brazil (Late Triassic) and implications for growth in early dinosaurs.

The Late Triassic silesaurid Sacisaurus agudoensis shows rapid growth in its limb bones, supporting the idea that rapid growth occurred early in the dinosauromorph lineage.

Counting dinosaurs: how many kinds were there?

Dinosaurs have lived for 900-1200 genera, with the fossil record being 25% complete, and their diversity peaked in the Maastrichtian near the peak of their historic diversity.

Increases in sampling support the southern Gondwanan hypothesis for the origin of dinosaurs

A southern Gondwanan origin for dinosaurs remains the most plausible hypothesis, supported by increased taxonomic and geographic sampling and divergent phylogenetic results.

A Basal Sauropodomorph (Dinosauria: Saurischia) from the Ischigualasto Formation (Triassic, Carnian) and the Early Evolution of Sauropodomorpha

Panphagia protos is the most basal sauropodomorph from the Ischigualasto Formation, suggesting an earlier origin of Sauropodomorpha during the Middle Triassic.

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