Protoavis
Protoavis texensis
Pronounced:
Pro -
toe - A
- viss
Diet:
Carnivore
(Meat-Eater)
Name
Means:
First
Bird
Length:
Unknown
Height:
Unknown
Weight:
less
than 1
pound
(350 g)
Time:
Late
Triassic
215 MYA
Fossil remains for this Dinosaur have been found in Southwest U.S.
Some scientists think that Protoavis was the first bird, others believe that the fossils associated with this species are actually several specimens mixed together.
This
little
creature is
known only
from the
incomplete
remains of
two
individuals.
Just enough
was found to
make some
scientists
believe that
this animal
may be at
the base of
the bird
family tree.
Scientists
are in the
process of
comparing
the remains
of Protoavis
with other
well-known
theropod,
such as
Troodon
and are
comparing
similarities
and
differences.
It has also
been
suggested
that
Protoavis is
not closely
associated
with birds,
but rather
that this
small
creature may
have been a
very early
theropod. |
