Pedopenna

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Pedopenna

Zoo Tek Phoenix

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Author: Moondawg

Keywords: extinct animals

Date Released: Nov 22 2009

Current Pedopenna_MD2009.ztd dated 15 November 2009

File Size: 972.96k

Compatibility: DD and CC

Description: Pedopenna ("foot feather") was a small, feathered, maniraptoran dinosaur from the Daohugou Beds in China.
It is possibly older than Archaeopteryx, though the age of the Daohugou Beds where it was found is debated. Some estimates give an Early Cretaceous age, but the latest radiometric dating shows them to be late Middle Jurassic (Callovian) (c.140-168 mya).

The name Pedopenna refers to the long pennaceous feathers on the metatarsus; daohugouensis refers to the locality of Daohugou, where the holotype was found. Pedopenna daohugouensis probably measured 1 meter (3 ft) or less in length, but since this species is only known from the hind legs, the actual length is difficult to estimate. Pedopenna is classified as a paravian (Paraves), the group of maniraptoran dinosaurs that includes Aves and their closest relatives.

The feet of Pedopenna resembled those of the related troodontids and dromaeosaurids (which together form the group Deinonychosauria), though were overall more primitive. In particular, the second toe of Pedopenna was not as specialized as in deinonychosaurs. While Pedopenna did have an enlarged claw and slightly shortened second toe, it was not as highly developed as the strongly curved, sickle-like claws of its relatives.

Xu and Zhang, who interpreted the Daohugou fossil beds where Pedopenna was found as mid to late Jurassic in age, used the presence of such a primitive member of the avian lineage, in combination with many primitive members of closely related lineages there, to support the idea that birds originated in Asia.

The avian affinities of Pedopenna are further evidence of the dinosaur-bird evolutionary relationship. Apart from having a very bird-like skeletal structure in its legs, Pedopenna was remarkable due to the presence of long pennaceous feathers on the metatarsus (foot). Some deinonychosaurs are also known to have these 'hind wings', but those of Pedopenna differ from those of animals like Microraptor. Pedopenna hind wings were smaller and more rounded in shape. The longest feathers were slightly shorter than the metatarsus, at about 55 mm (2 in) long. Additionally, the feathers of Pedopenna were symmetrical, unlike the asymmetrical feathers of some deinonychosaurs and birds. Since asymmetrical feathers are typical of animals adapted to flying, it is likely that Pedopenna represents an early stage in the development of these structures. While many of the feather impressions in the fossil are weak, it is clear that each possessed a rachis and barbs, and while the exact number of foot feathers is uncertain, they are more numerous than in the hind-wings of Microraptor. Pedopenna also shows evidence of shorter feathers overlying the long foot feathers, evidence for the presence of coverts as seen in modern birds. Since the feathers show fewer aerodynamic adaptations than the similar hind wings of Microraptor, and appear to be less stiff, suggests that if they did have some kind of aerodynamic function, it was much weaker than in deinonychosaurs and birds. Xu and Zhang, in their 2005 description of Pedopenna, suggested that the feathers could be ornamental, or even vestigial. It is possible that a hind wing was present in the ancestors of deinonychosaurs and birds, and later lost in the bird lineage, with Pedopenna representing an intermediate stage where the hind wings are being reduced from a functional gliding apparatus to a display or insulatory function.

The Pedopenna and the Protarchaeopteryx are totally compatible with each other

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Additional info:

Pedopenna_MD2009.ztd             uca: 78AEC026 dated 15 November 2009

Results From Configuration Checking:

78aec026.uca date: Sun Nov 15 13:15:00 2009
No Errors or Warnings to show.
Animal Type: 78AEC026

Pedopenna

It is possibly older than Archaeopteryx, though the age of the Daohugou Beds
where it was found is debated. Some estimates give an  Early Cretaceous age,
but the latest radiometric dating shows them to be late Middle Jurassic
(Callovian) (c.140-168 mya).
    (plus 4 other paragraphs)

Animal Characteristics:

Habitat: Coniferous Forest; Location: China; Era: Cretaceous
Minimum happiness needed for chance of breeding: 98.
Animal can jump.
Animal can climb cliffs.
Cannot be used in original Zoo Tycoon: cKeeperFoodType (6) is not 0 to 5.

Exhibit Preferences:

Foliage:
Lodgepole Pine Tree, Fir Tree, Pine Tree, Yew Tree, Spruce Tree
Yellow Cedar Tree, Western Red Cedar Tree, Chinese Fir Tree, Pine Bush
Club Moss Shrub (DD), Walchian Conifer Tree (DD), Dawn Redwood Tree (DD)
Lepidodendron Tree (DD), Norfolk Island Pine Tree (DD)

Rocks:
Large Rock, Large Rock - 1, Large Rock - 2, Large Rock - 3, Large Rock - 4
Small Rock - Medium, Small Rock - Small, Small Rock - 7, Small Rock - 8
Small Rock - 9, Coniferous Forest Rock - Formation
Medium Coniferous Rock (DD)

Exhibit Construction:

Number of animals allowed per exhibit: 3-10 with 20 squares for each adult.

Exhibit size (for 3 adults): 60 grid squares

Terrain (for exhibit with 60 grid squares):
39 Coniferous Floor, 6 Dirt, 6 Grass, 9 Fresh Water

Foliage (for exhibit with 60 grid squares):
4 grid squares should contain foliage.
Foliage that would give the most happiness: Norfolk Island Pine Tree (DD)
Since this is a small plant, greatest happiness will occur
if each of the 4 grid squares contains 4 of this plant.

Rocks (for exhibit with 60 grid squares):
1 Medium Coniferous Rock (DD), which is its most liked rock,
and 1 Small Rock - Small.

Elevation: Of the 60 squares, 2 nonadjacent squares should be elevated.