Yuanchuavis, a newly described well preserved enantiornithine

[Faelrin]

Surprised this hasn't been shared yet, but a well preserved new genus of enantiornithine was described pretty recently. Absolutely stunning specimen too.

Paper here (appears to not have a paywall): https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(21)01158-1?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS0960982221011581%3Fshowall%3Dtrue



Some wonderful artwork recently that Gabriel Ugueto did recently featuring it on a Sinotyrannus, and a flock of young Sinopterus (Nemicolopterus):

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=264898022304339&set=a.128603692600440

[ITdactyl]

It's like everything from the region strove to be the most beautiful creatures of the Cretaceous.

On a serious note, it's amazing that they already did a color study (melanosome sampling) on the specimen.  I wonder if there are other regions on Earth with the potential to match the level of soft tissue preservation found in China.*  I've read how the geologic story of the region contributed to its unique conservation Lagerstätten - and the more I read about the topic, the more it seems each Lagerstätten produces its own unique type of fossils.  What I'm trying to say is: is there even a point to wishing for say, a juvenile Tyrannosaurus to be found in the same preservation state as Chinese specimens - when science says that NO, Hell Creek will never produce the same type of fossils as the Jiufotang Formation.

[Gothmog the Baryonyx]

A nice interesting enantornithean, and I saw it and Ugueto's beautiful art on gacebook. It is is lovely. Just liik at that tail.

[Halichoeres]

Oh, what a little beauty. The streamers make me think of a whydah.