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    Question

    What is the significance of the recently discovered

    dinosaur Fujianvenator prodigiosus in the context of avian evolution?
    A It provides insights into the diet and lifestyle of ancient dinosaurs Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    B It is the largest dinosaur ever discovered in Fujian Province Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    C It represents a transitional stage in the evolution of birds Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    D It had a unique skull structure compared to other dinosaurs Correct Answer Incorrect Answer
    E It was known for its exceptionally short tibia relative to its femur Correct Answer Incorrect Answer

    Solution

    About 148 to 150 million years ago, a strange pheasant-sized and bird-like dinosaur with elongated legs and arms built much like wings inhabited southeastern China, with a puzzling anatomy suggesting it either was a fast runner or lived a lifestyle like a modern wading bird. Scientists unearthed in Fujian Province the fossil of a Jurassic Period dinosaur they named Fujianvenator prodigiosus - a creature that sheds light on a critical evolutionary stage in the origin of birds. Fujianvenator is a member of a grouping called avialans that includes all birds and their closest non-avian dinosaur relatives. The Fujianvenator fossil, discovered October 2022, is fairly complete but lacks the animal’s skull and parts of its feet, making it hard to interpret its diet and lifestyle. Fujianvenator’s lower leg bone - the tibia - was twice as long as its thigh bone - the femur.

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