0917 Liaoning, China Early Cretaceous
Image information
Description
Fauna
∑ Sinovenator changii, a basal troodontid covered in filament-like structures. This theropod has serrated teeth, raptorial hands and a sickle shaped claw on the foot indicative of a predatory lifestyle. A lightly built maniraptoran it had keen senses indicated by enlarged orbits and well developed middle ears, and its long hind-limbs point to an agile lifestyle.
∑ Psittacosaurus meileyingensis, a basal ceratopsian, the young have hollow quill-like structures on the back and tail.
∑ Confuciusornis sanctus, the earliest known bird showing a horny beak without teeth. The wings are big with exceptionally long flight feathers and large fully functional grasping claws. Sexual dimorphism is clearly visible with the slightly larger males having a pair of very long tail feathers.
∑ Protopteryx fengningensis, a primitive eoenantiorn bird retaining teeth in the jaw, small wing claws and a long pygostyle forming the tail stump with extended feathers.
∑ Zhangheotherium quinquecuspidens, a small symmetrodont mammal adapted to arboreal and terrestrial life.
∑ Hyphalosaurus lingyuanensis, a long-necked freshwater diapsid reptile.
∑ Manchurochelys liaoxiensis, a pond turtle with short flat head and long tail.
∑ Yabeinosaurus tenuis, a small sized lizard with sharp curved conical teeth.
∑ Callobatrachus sanyanensis, the earliest discoglossid (disk tongued) frog.
∑ Liaoxitriton zhongjiani, a small sized salamander.
∑ Aeschnidum cancellosa, a large dragonfly.
∑ Ephemeropsis trisetalis, a medium sized mayfly larva.
∑ Protopsephurus liui, a primitive freshwater paddlefish.
∑ Peipiaosteus pani, a basal sturgeon.
∑ Numerous different insects over the water, and unseen small fish, crustaceans and molluscs below.
Flora
∑ Rehezamites anisolobus, a cycad-like bennettitale, shown with ‘inflorescence’ spike.
∑ Equisetum longevaginatus, a leafless horsetail.
∑ Botrychites reheensis, a tree fern.
∑ Todites denticulata, a terrestrial fern.
∑ Ckanowskia rigida, a ginkgo, with other early trees in the distance.
∑ Primitive aquatic flowering plants.
Acrylics on MDF
45.5cm x 30.5cm
Prints available
∑ Sinovenator changii, a basal troodontid covered in filament-like structures. This theropod has serrated teeth, raptorial hands and a sickle shaped claw on the foot indicative of a predatory lifestyle. A lightly built maniraptoran it had keen senses indicated by enlarged orbits and well developed middle ears, and its long hind-limbs point to an agile lifestyle.
∑ Psittacosaurus meileyingensis, a basal ceratopsian, the young have hollow quill-like structures on the back and tail.
∑ Confuciusornis sanctus, the earliest known bird showing a horny beak without teeth. The wings are big with exceptionally long flight feathers and large fully functional grasping claws. Sexual dimorphism is clearly visible with the slightly larger males having a pair of very long tail feathers.
∑ Protopteryx fengningensis, a primitive eoenantiorn bird retaining teeth in the jaw, small wing claws and a long pygostyle forming the tail stump with extended feathers.
∑ Zhangheotherium quinquecuspidens, a small symmetrodont mammal adapted to arboreal and terrestrial life.
∑ Hyphalosaurus lingyuanensis, a long-necked freshwater diapsid reptile.
∑ Manchurochelys liaoxiensis, a pond turtle with short flat head and long tail.
∑ Yabeinosaurus tenuis, a small sized lizard with sharp curved conical teeth.
∑ Callobatrachus sanyanensis, the earliest discoglossid (disk tongued) frog.
∑ Liaoxitriton zhongjiani, a small sized salamander.
∑ Aeschnidum cancellosa, a large dragonfly.
∑ Ephemeropsis trisetalis, a medium sized mayfly larva.
∑ Protopsephurus liui, a primitive freshwater paddlefish.
∑ Peipiaosteus pani, a basal sturgeon.
∑ Numerous different insects over the water, and unseen small fish, crustaceans and molluscs below.
Flora
∑ Rehezamites anisolobus, a cycad-like bennettitale, shown with ‘inflorescence’ spike.
∑ Equisetum longevaginatus, a leafless horsetail.
∑ Botrychites reheensis, a tree fern.
∑ Todites denticulata, a terrestrial fern.
∑ Ckanowskia rigida, a ginkgo, with other early trees in the distance.
∑ Primitive aquatic flowering plants.
Acrylics on MDF
45.5cm x 30.5cm
Prints available