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January 2
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:iconfranz-josef73:
Skeletal reconstruction of Sapeornis chaoyangensis with my best attempt at a skull reconstruction. The light construction of this animal's skull means that despite there being many complete specimens (minus feathers), the skull is very difficult to reconfigure. Greg Paul wanted this taxon to be an oviraptorosaurid, so he reconstructed the skull to look like Ingenia and other small oviraptorids. He also made the pubis vertical rather than posteriorally-inclined. Other reconstructions were done before more complete specimens (like the two with crops full of seeds preserved [link]) clarrified its osteology. More than one species may be represented since some skulls appear to be more elongate and Archaeopteryx-like than others, but that awaits further detailed work from those who have access to them. Until that time, this is my effort to capture the anatomy of Sapeornis. No sternum has been preserved with any of the dozens of specimens, so it seems to have not had one...very odd considering the advanced pectoral girdle and large wings. A wierd bird (or oviraptorid) for sure. It sort of reminds me of a large ani.

Updated April 5, 2013 to reflect the fact that longish leg feathers have now been found on Sapeornis ([link]). Many thanks to DA yoult who brought this to my attention!
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:iconthemorlock:
~TheMorlock Jun 11, 2013  Student General Artist
Weird-looking bird.
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:iconyoult:
~yoult Mar 18, 2013  Professional General Artist
Zheng et al. recently published a paper on that guy. It came out it had also winged legs and a tail fan. If you're interested in updating this excellent skeleton and don't have the paper, just contact me. :)
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:iconfranz-josef73:
~Franz-Josef73 Mar 18, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
Wow. Thanks for the information. I'll dig around and see if I can find it, otherwise I'll take you up on your kind offer.
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:iconkazuma27:
~Kazuma27 Jan 10, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
Those feet claws... Wicked!
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:iconfranz-josef73:
~Franz-Josef73 Jan 10, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
The better to grip branches with.
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:iconkazuma27:
~Kazuma27 Jan 10, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
... And/or defending himself against predators ;)
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:iconpilsator:
~pilsator Jan 2, 2013  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Great!
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:iconmattmart:
~MattMart Jan 2, 2013  Hobbyist Digital Artist
Great reconstruction! Nice to finally see a more rigorous take on this species. The only nitpick I'd offer is the tail. I'm aware of one source which says long tail feathers were present, but nothing more has been described yet. If present though, I'd reason they'd be more like the tail feathers of confuciusornithids and enantiornithes, paired, long ribbon-like feathers, rather than a rounded tail line a euornith.
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:iconfranz-josef73:
~Franz-Josef73 Jan 2, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
You're absolutely correct. It's been proposed that like Confuciusornis and enantiornithes, Sapeornis had a short tail with maybe a couple of long plumes. I outlined the plumes with a thick profile to suggest a heavier tail to match the linger wings. But the tail could equally well have been like the one I drew on Yanornis. Thanks for the feedback!
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:iconsporemasterhimpo:
Mood: Love ~SporemasterHIMPO Jan 2, 2013  Hobbyist
Wow really awesome work with the reconstruction :D I might just do a Sapeornis work following this reconstruction :)
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