Early Cretaceous Birds from China: A Systematic Revision of Enantiornithes

美国洛杉矶县自然历史博物馆的Luis M. Chiappe博士获得了一笔资助，对中国西北地区一系列保存非常完好的鸟类化石进行为期3年的国际合作研究。该项目的核心是收集1.25亿年前的化石，这些化石属于一组已灭绝的飞禽，即Enantiornithes，它代表了鸟类进化中最原始的篇章之一。尽管这些古老的化石意义重大，但人们对它们的研究还很肤浅，对它们的进化关系也知之甚少。这项研究经费的目的是描述这些化石的解剖结构，并利用这些信息澄清它们的进化相互关系。这个项目将产生关于鸟类早期历史的知识，以及最终导致现代鸟类独特身体特征的进化转变。该研究将对两名中国青年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，并将加强中美机构之间的合作。此外，通过流行文章和媒体报道，这些化石中包含的重要科学知识将被传达给公众。

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.