Redescription and phylogenetic affinities of the Early Cretaceous enantiornithine Dapingfangornis sentisorhinus.

Abstract

Dapingfangornis sentisorhinus, a small to medium-sized enantiornithine from the Lower Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation in Western Liaoning, China, stands as one of the earliest known enantiornithines with well-preserved ornamental tail feathers. However, the original holotype description was limited due to damage and matrix interference, which obscured crucial osteological details. Therefore, we provide an updated description of the holotype specimen of D. sentisorhinus with the aid of CT scanning to reveal new and revised osteological information. Furthermore, a phylogenetic analysis of newly acquired data situates Dapingfangornis within the Enantiornithes, closely aligned with Pterygornis and a few other taxa, which may represent a previously unrecognized clade of Early Cretaceous enantiornithines.