Name:
Eoconfuciusornis
(Dawn Confucius bird).
Phonetic: E-oh-con-few-shus-or-niss.
Named By: Z. Zhang, Z. Zhou & M.
J. Benton - 2008.
Classification: Chordata, Dinosauria,
Saurischia, Theropda, Euavialae, Confuciusornithiformes.
Species: E. zhengi (type).
Diet: Unknown.
Size: Unavailable.
Known locations: China, Hebei Province -
Dabeigou Formation.
Time period: Hauterivian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Partial remains.
Eoconfuciusornis named for its earlier appearance to the related Confuciusornis, the most notable difference about Eoconfuciusornis at the time of writing are that the genus has longer legs than Eoconfuciusornis.
Further reading
- A primitive confuciusornithid bird from China and its implications
for early avian flight. - Science in China Series D: Earth
Sciences 51(5):625-639. - Z. Zhang, Z. Zhou &
M. J. Benton - 2008.