Eumaniraptor Fossils: "Raptors" & Birds

The Eumaniraptors (also known as the “Paraves”) consist of the rare Scansoriopterygids (“scan-sor-ee-op-ter-ij-ids”), the Dromaeosaurs, the Troodontids, and the Avialans. The earliest known Eumaniraptors first evolved in the Late Jurassic period and were likely omnivorous, with some species adapting into a strictly carnivorous lifestyle as they advanced. While several other dinosaur lineages also possessed feathers, the Eumaniraptors developed especially long feathers along their very long forelimbs, of which would eventually be adapted for flight in some species. Some, like the dromaeosaur Microraptor gui, would even develop wings along their legs, while the scansoriopterygid Yi qi would develop a bat-like wing membrane for gliding. While many evolutionary experiments in flight may have taken place, it was the powered flight of the avialans that would persist. The evolution of a hyper-extended second toe adorned with a large sickle-shaped claw (along with a trend where many species grew larger) is a hallmark of the troodontids and dromaeosaurs, such as the infamous Velociraptor of Jurassic Park fame. At the end of the Cretaceous period approximately 66 million years ago, only the avialans would survive the extinction event that fell the other Eumaniraptors. Today the avialans are better known as “birds,” and number over 9,000 species.