The birdlike raptor Sinornithosaurus was venomous
Author(s) -
Enpu Gong,
Larry D. Martin,
David A. Burnham,
Amanda R. Falk
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.0912360107
Subject(s) - dentition , zoology , biology , taxon , skull , evolutionary biology , geography , anatomy , ecology , paleontology
We suggest that some of the most avian dromaeosaurs, such as Sinornithosaurus, were venomous, and propose an ecological model for that taxon based on its unusual dentition and other cranial features including grooved teeth, a possible pocket for venom glands, and a groove leading from that pocket to the exposed bases of the teeth. These features are all analogous to the venomous morphology of lizards. Sinornithosaurus and related dromaeosaurs probably fed on the abundant birds of the Jehol forests during the Early Cretaceous in northeastern China.
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