AN EXCEPTIONALLY WELL-PRESERVED THEROPOD DINOSAUR FROM THE YIXIAN FORMATION OF CHINA

Two spectacular fossilized dinosaur skeletons were recently discovered in Liaoning in northeastern China. Here we describe the two nearly co mplete skeletons of a small theropod that represent a species closely related to Compsognathus. Sinosauropteryx has the longest tail of any known theropod, and a three-fingered hand dominated by the first finge r, which is longer and thicker than either of the bones of the forearm . Both specimens have interesting integumentary structures that could provide information about the origin of feathers. The larger individua l also has stomach contents, and a pair of eggs in the abdomen.