**Ambopteryx: A Unique Dinosaur from the Late Jurassic**
Ambopteryx is a fascinating genus of dinosaurs that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 163 million years ago. It was discovered in China and is notable for having both feathers and special wing-like structures similar to bat wings.
**What is Ambopteryx?**
The name Ambopteryx comes from Latin and Greek words that mean “both wings.” This is fitting because it had both feathers and a wing structure. The only known species of Ambopteryx is called Ambopteryx longibrachium, which translates to “long upper arm,” referring to its unique anatomy.
The fossils show that Ambopteryx was about 32 centimeters long and weighed around 306 grams. The remains were found in 2017 in a region known for well-preserved fossils.
**Discovery Details**
Fossils of Ambopteryx include a nearly complete skeleton with soft tissues still attached, showing us more about its appearance. The discovery was made in the Liaoning Province, an area known for its rich fossils from the Yanliao Biota.
Scientists believe the specimen found is either a young adult or a fully grown dinosaur. A special feature of its fossil is the wing membrane, which is preserved on its forelimbs and abdomen.
**Physical Description**
Ambopteryx had a short, flat head and an extraordinarily long third finger. At first, scientists thought it used this finger to dig for food in trees, much like the aye-aye, a modern animal. However, new studies indicate that this finger mainly helped attach its wing membrane.
Its forelimbs were longer than its hind limbs, and it had a short tail that ended in a pygostyle, which is a set of fused bone segments. This feature is not common in many dinosaurs but is found in modern birds, showing a link in their evolution.
**Diet and Feeding Habits**
Inside the abdomen of Ambopteryx, scientists found small stones called gastroliths, which help in digestion. They also discovered pieces that look like bone, suggesting that Ambopteryx may have eaten both plants and small animals, indicating an omnivorous diet. This finding gives us a better understanding of what these unique dinosaurs might have eaten.
Overall, Ambopteryx stands out because of its combination of traits, helping us learn about the diversity of life during the age of dinosaurs.