In Depth
Wulong is a genus of microraptorine dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived in China during the early Cretaceous. The holotype individual of Wulong is of a juvenile, so a full adult size for this dinosaur is unknown at the time of writing. Other microraptorine dinosaurs however are usually smaller than other dromaeosaurid dinosaurs, and like these already, Wulong had a strongly developed feather covering.
The holotype specimen of Wulong shows that the genus had hollow bones, perhaps as weight saving feature. This would fit in with the popular depiction of microraptorine dinosaurs being gliders, using their well-developed arm feathers to form wings so that they could glide from tree to tree in the forests of China during the early Cretaceous. Another notable feature of Wulong is the tail which accounts for over half of the total body length.
Further Reading
- A new microraptorine theropod from the Jehol Biota and growth in early dromaeosaurids. - A. W. Poust, C. Gao, D. J. Varricchio, J. Wu & F. Zhang - 2020.
