References / paperA well-preserved Archaeopteryx specimen with theropod features
Mayr, G.; Pohl, B.; Peters, D.S.
Year2005
Source roleprimary-study
DOI / ID10.1126/science.1120331
Fitness and scope
morphology · topology
The Thermopolis specimen, later catalogued WDC CSG 100, documents an anatomical mosaic; it does not by itself establish direct ancestry or a unique first bird.
Claim ledger
morphology · mediumThe nearly complete Thermopolis Archaeopteryx specimen, later catalogued WDC CSG 100, preserves a hyperextendible second toe, a tetraradiate palatine and a hallux unlike a fully reversed perching toe; this anatomical mosaic supports theropod affinity without proving direct ancestry or a unique first bird.
claim:event:archaeopteryx-thermopolis-skeleton