Four-winged feathered dinosaur Norellraptor barsboldi found in China

An exceptionally preserved feathered dinosaur named Norellraptor barsboldi, just 57 cm long and 3 years old at death, was found in China's Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation. Analysis of 194 anatomical changes found about 30% also evolved in the bird lineage, supporting the idea that flapping flight evolved independently in different dinosaur groups.

• Norellraptor barsboldi measured 57 cm and was 3 years old when it died
• About 30% of 194 anatomical changes also appeared in the bird lineage
• The order in which shared traits evolved differed between microraptors and birds
• The findings were published in Nature Communications on Sept. 29