Science Fair Project Encyclopedia
Maniraptora
Maniraptora is a group used in biological classification to cover the birds and the dinosaurs that were related to them. It is a sister group to Arctometatarsalia , and contains the subgroups Deinonychosauria, Oviraptorosauria, Therizinosauria , in addition to Aves (birds).
Maniraptors are characterized by elongated arms and hands, as well as a semi-lunate carpal in the wrist. Other basal maniraptor traits include the presence of a furcula, a distally shortened and stiffened tail, feathers, and an elongated, backwards-pointing pubis. The "killer claw" which characterizes dromaeosaurs may also be a basal trait.
Modern pennaceous feathers, remiges, and powered flight are present in species from several maniraptorian subgroups, including aves and dromaeosauridae.
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