| Gansus Temporal range: Early Cretaceous | |
|---|---|
| |
| Reconstruction of Gansus by Scott Reid | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Clade: | Dinosauria |
| Genus: | †Gansus Hou & Liu, 1984 |
| Type species | |
| †Gansus yumenensis Hou & Liu, 1984 | |
| Other species | |
|
†Gansus zheni | |
Gansus is an advanced short-tailed Avialian bird from early Cretaceous China. The type species is G. yumenensis.
Description[]
The holotype of Gansus was a piece of an isolated left leg bone. Gansus is closely related to the ancestor of all modern birds. It had a wingspan of 40 centimeters and a length of 24 centimeters. The wings of Gansus were large and powerful, and it had a strongly keeled breastbone. Gansus was likely able to fly, as well as swim using its wings and feet.
Paleoecology[]
Webbed feet and heavier wings suggest it was a foot-propelled diver, similar to extant loons and grebes. It likely had a similar niche to said birds, catching small fish.
In popular culture[]
- Gansus appeared in the documentary series Jurassic C.S.I.
Gallery[]
Gansus Skeleton
