Norell, Mark. ; Makovicky, Peter J. ; Mongolian-American Museum Paleontological Project. ; Mongolyn Shinzhlėkh Ukhaany Akademi.

Date: 1999

Abstract:

The postcranial anatomy of several new specimens of Velociraptor mongoliensis is described. This description concentrates on poorly known aspects of the skeleton of Velociraptor mongoliensis, including several features that are extremely similar to characters found in basal avialans like Archaeopteryx lithographica. Among these the pelvis and shoulder girdle display several characters such as a reduced antiliac shelf, a furcula, a scapula lying in a subhorizontal position relative to the dorsal column, and sternal plates that articulate with the coracoids. Some problematic features and conditions such as the hypopubic cup and the degree of opisthopuby are also discussed in relation to claims made about these features in regard to the origin of Avialae. Comparisons are made between Velociraptor mongoliensis and the enigmatic maniraptoran Unenlagia comahuensis"--P. [1].