Archaeorhynchuspreserving significant soft tissue including probable fossilized lungs

Significance Archaeorhynchus spathula is a basal member of the Ornithuromorpha, the lineage that includes neornithines. Although this is the fifth reported specimen, unlike the others it preserves significant soft tissue, revealing a tail morphology previously unknown in Mesozoic birds and an exceptional occurrence of fossilized lung tissue. This identification is based on topographical location and anatomical features revealed mainly by...