Biology:Cerebavis

From HandWiki
Short description: Extinct genus of birds


Cerebavis
Temporal range: Late Cretaceous, 122–97 Ma
Scientific classification edit
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Clade: Dinosauria
Clade: Saurischia
Clade: Theropoda
Clade: Avialae
Clade: Ornithurae
Genus: Cerebavis
Kurochkin et al., 2006
Species:
C. cenomanicus
Binomial name
Cerebavis cenomanicus
Kurochkin et al., 2006

Cerebavis is a genus of bird that lived during the Middle Cenomanian (late Cretaceous) period, 99.6 - 93.5 Ma ago, and is known from a single brain mold found in Volgograd Region in Russia. Once considered most likely a member of the Enantiornithes, it is notable for its unusual brain, which displays some unusual features, including a well-developed olfactory system and large cerebrum, suggesting it had a well-developed sense of smell. Although fossils seldom preserve deep-brain soft anatomy, the brain of Cerebavis cenomanica may show a relatively large parietal eye and pineal gland.[1] In 2015, a reappraisal of the specimen concluded that it belonged to an ornithurine instead of an enantiornithean.[2]

References

  1. Kurochkin, E. N.; Saveliev, S. V.; Postnov, A. A.; Pervushov, E. M.; Popov, E. V. (2006). "On the brain of a primitive bird from the Upper Cretaceous of European Russia". Paleontological Journal 40 (6): 655–67. doi:10.1134/s0031030106060086. 
  2. Walsh, Stig A.; Milner, Angela C.; Bourdon, Estelle (August 2016). "A reappraisal of Cerebavis cenomanica (Aves, Ornithurae), from Melovatka, Russia". Journal of Anatomy 229 (2): 215–227. doi:10.1111/joa.12406. PMID 26553244. 

Wikidata ☰ Q16858744 entry