Early Cretaceous Birds from China: A Systematic Revision of Enantiornithes

DEB-0317140 A的摘要已授予Luis M.与洛杉矶县自然历史博物馆的Chiappe合作，对中国西北部一系列保存完好的鸟类化石进行为期三年的国际合作研究。 该项目的核心是一组1.25亿年前的化石，属于一组灭绝的飞鸟，反鸟，这是鸟类进化最原始的篇章之一。尽管它们的重要性，这些古老的化石仍然是肤浅的研究和他们的进化关系知之甚少。 这项研究资助的目的是描述这些化石的解剖结构，并利用这些信息来阐明它们在进化上的相互关系。该项目将产生有关鸟类早期历史和进化转变的知识，最终导致现代鸟类独特的身体特征。拟议的研究将对两名年轻的中国科学家的专业发展产生重大影响，他们将在洛杉矶县自然历史博物馆进行为期3个月的实习，并将加强美国和中国机构之间的合作。此外，还将通过通俗文章和媒体报道，将这些化石中蕴含的重要科学知识传达给公众。

Abstract for DEB-0317140A grant has been awarded to Dr. Luis M. Chiappe of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County to conduct 3 years of internationally cooperative research on a series of exceptionally well-preserved fossil birds from Northwestern China. The core of this project is a collection of 125 million-year-old fossils belonging to a group of extinct flying birds, the Enantiornithes, which represents one of the most primitive chapters of the evolution of birds. In spite of their significance, these ancient fossils have remained superficially studied and their evolutionary relationships poorly understood. The purpose of this research grant is to describe the anatomy of these fossils and to use this information to clarify their evolutionary interrelationships. This project will produce knowledge about the early history of birds and the evolutionary transformations that ultimately led to the unique physical characteristics of modern birds.The proposed study will have a significant impact on the professional development of two junior Chinese scientists, who will conduct 3-month internships at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and will strengthen the cooperation between US and Chinese institutions. In addition, through popular articles and media coverage, the important scientific knowledge contained in these fossils will be conveyed to the public.