2025 ‘Archaeopteryx’ paper suffers from taxon exclusion
Foth et al 2025
described a set of pre-flapping ‘Archaeopteryx‘ arm and leg bones from the Late Jurassic Mörnsheim Formation in Germany. specimen: SMNK PAL 10000a.
‘Pre-flapping’ is indicatee because
the coracoid was short, round and mobile (Fig 1), like a basal theropod coracoid. By contrast in flapping birds and pterosaurs the coracoid is tall, narrow and locked-down on the sternum.
Bats use their long clavicle as a substitute.
Figure 1. Coracoid of SMNK PAL 10000 with DGS colors added. This is not an elongate locked down coracoid common to birds.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/latejurassic.smnk_.pal10000coracoid.gif?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/latejurassic.smnk_.pal10000coracoid.gif?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-90932″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/latejurassic.smnk_.pal10000coracoid.gif” alt=”Figure 1. Coracoid of SMNK PAL 10000 with DGS colors added. This is not an elongate locked down coracoid common to birds.” width=”584″ height=”309″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/latejurassic.smnk_.pal10000coracoid.gif?w=584&h=309 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/latejurassic.smnk_.pal10000coracoid.gif?w=150&h=79 150w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/latejurassic.smnk_.pal10000coracoid.gif?w=300&h=159 300w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/latejurassic.smnk_.pal10000coracoid.gif 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 1. Coracoid of SMNK PAL 10000 with DGS colors added. This is not an elongate locked down coracoid common to birds. And why present this for publication upside-down?
A new Late Jurassic ‘bird’ is always good news,
even if most of the skeleton is not present and it’s not a bird – because it did not flap. If the authors were going to run a phylogenetic analysis, why did thy only include one other ‘Archaeopteryx‘? – and not nine others as in the large reptile tree (LRT, 2330 taxa, subset Fig 3).
The authors reported, “The lengths of the humerus and ulna are most similar to those
of the Munich specimen of Archaeopteryx.” See figure 2.
Figure 1. Alcmonavis to scale with its sister in the LRT, the Munich specimen.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/archaeopteryx_alcmonavis588.jpg?w=292″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/archaeopteryx_alcmonavis588.jpg?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-36885″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/archaeopteryx_alcmonavis588.jpg” alt=”Figure 1. Alcmonavis to scale with its sister in the LRT, the Munich specimen.” width=”584″ height=”601″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/archaeopteryx_alcmonavis588.jpg?w=584&h=601 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/archaeopteryx_alcmonavis588.jpg?w=146&h=150 146w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/archaeopteryx_alcmonavis588.jpg?w=292&h=300 292w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/archaeopteryx_alcmonavis588.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 2. Alcmonavis to scale with its sister in the LRT, the Munich specimen. Note the elongate coracoid on the Munich specimen indicating it was a flapping taxon.
Archaeopteryx bavarica
the Munich specimen – BSp 1999 I 50 (Fig 2) nests near the base of the Scansoriopterygidae, derived from a sister to specimen #12 in the LRT. Both need new generic names.
So the Munich specimen (Fig 2) is not related to the SMNK 10,000 specimen (Fig 1). The coracoids are fundamentally different.
Note: some Early Cretaceous birds reverse the coracoid shape as they forego flying and flapping. So, let’s wait for the expanded phylogenetic analysis.
Figure 2. Subset of the LRT focuscing on Solnhofen birds. many labeled with the wastebasket taxon, Archaeopteryx.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/solnhofen_birds_archaeopteryxlrt.jpg?w=111″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/solnhofen_birds_archaeopteryxlrt.jpg?w=380″ class=”size-full wp-image-78852″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/solnhofen_birds_archaeopteryxlrt.jpg” alt=”Figure 2. Subset of the LRT focuscing on Solnhofen birds. many labeled with the wastebasket taxon, Archaeopteryx.” width=”584″ height=”1573″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/solnhofen_birds_archaeopteryxlrt.jpg?w=584&h=1573 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/solnhofen_birds_archaeopteryxlrt.jpg?w=56&h=150 56w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/solnhofen_birds_archaeopteryxlrt.jpg?w=111&h=300 111w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/solnhofen_birds_archaeopteryxlrt.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 3. Subset of the LRT focuscing on Solnhofen birds. many labeled with the wastebasket taxon, Archaeopteryx.
Archaeopteryx has become a wastebasket taxon
in an attempt to glom on to some of its fame and headline-making ability.
Workers: stop chasing headlines.
Concentrate on the science. Add = don’t omit pertinent taxa.
And stop presenting specimens upside-down (Fig 1). Why did they do that? IDK.
References
Foth C et al (10 co-authors) 2025. A new Archaeopteryx from the lower Tithonian Mönsheim Formation at Mühlheim (Late Jurassic). Fossil Record 28 (1) 2025, 17–43 | DOI 10.3897/fr.28.131671
reptileevolution.com/archaeopteryx
wiki/Archaeopteryx
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2025/01/08/2025-archaeopteryx-paper-suffers-from-taxon-exclusion/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Online: | |
| Visits: | 1,667,954,315 |
| Stories: | 8,327,042 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
