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IRMNG name detailsArchaeoraptor Sloan, 1999 †
11924339 (urn:lsid:irmng.org:taxname:11924339)
unaccepted > nomen nudum (nomen nudum, also composite specimen (bird + reptile portions))
Genus
fossil only
Not documented
Taxonomic remark Composite specimen (forgery) combining the head and body of a bird (now Yanornis, syn. Archaeovolans Czerkas & Xu, 2002)...
Taxonomic remark Composite specimen (forgery) combining the head and body of a bird (now Yanornis, syn. Archaeovolans Czerkas & Xu, 2002) with the tail of a dromaeosaurid (now Microraptor zhaoianus). From The Theropod Database (2023 version): The specimen IVPP V12444 was fraudulently combined with the tail of the Microraptor zhaoianus holotype by a Chinese farmer. It was smuggled out of the country then sold at the 1998 Tuscon Gem Show to Czerkas. Currie recognized the legs were part and counterpart slabs of the same bones, while Rowe and Aulenback independently verified the composite nature of the specimen. National Geographic announced the specimen in a press conference in October, and in November, Sloan (1999) published a paper using the name "Archaeoraptor liaoningensis". This was a nomen nudum because it explicitely stated the taxon was to be described formerly in an official publication. That official publication was to have been in Science or Nature, but both journals rejected it. In April, Olson (2000) published an article purporting to officially describe "Archaeoraptor" and attach that name to the dromaeosaurid tail (with the latter as the lectotype). Several months later in December, Xu et al. (2000) officially named Microraptor zhaoianus based on the dromaeosaurid tail and associated anterior part of the skeleton Xu had discovered. At this time, Olshevsky (DML, 2000) noted that Olson's publication predated Xu et al.'s, and he believed that this made Microraptor a junior synonym of "Archaeoraptor". Several days later, Creisler (DML, 2001) pointed out the Olson's attempt to name "Archaeoraptor" was invalid because the ICZN requires a diagnosis in a valid publication, while Olson merely referenced the invalid article by Sloan. Creisler further indicated Olson cannot designate a lectotype without a valid publication defining a holotype first. Thus "Archaeoraptor" is still a nomen nudum, despite Olson's efforts, and Microraptor zhaoianus is the valid name for the IVPP V 12330 dromaeosaurid. [details] Taxonomic remark From Zhou et al., 2002: The principal portion of the Archaeoraptor forgery, which we conclude was constructed from two...
Taxonomic remark From Zhou et al., 2002: The principal portion of the Archaeoraptor forgery, which we conclude was constructed from two different specimens belonging to two different species, is therefore representative of a fish-eating bird. [i.e., Yanornis martini] [details]
IRMNG (2023). Archaeoraptor Sloan, 1999 †. Accessed at: https://irmng.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=11924339 on 2024-04-29
Date action by
basis of record
Xu, X.; Zhou, Z.; Wang, X. (2000). The smallest known non-avian theropod dinosaur. <em>Nature.</em> 408(6813): 705-708., available online at https://doi.org/10.1038/35047056 [details]
additional source Xu, X.; Zhou, Z.; Wang, X. (2000). The smallest known non-avian theropod dinosaur. <em>Nature.</em> 408(6813): 705-708., available online at https://doi.org/10.1038/35047056 [details] additional source Mortimer, M. (2004-current). The Theropod Database (2023 version). , available online at https://www.theropoddatabase.com/ [details] additional source Zhou, Z.; Clarke, J. A.; Zhang, F. (2002). Archaeoraptor's better half. <em>Nature.</em> 420(6913): 285-285., available online at https://doi.org/10.1038/420285a note: identifies "bird"(avialan) portion of the composite fossil as belonging to Yanornis martini [details] status source Rowe, T.; Ketcham, R. A.; Denison, C.; Colbert, M.; Xu, X.; Currie, P. J. (2001). The Archaeoraptor forgery. <em>Nature.</em> 410(6828): 539-540., available online at https://doi.org/10.1038/35069145 [details] original description (unavailable nomenclaturally) Sloan, C. P. (1999). Feathers for T. rex?. <em>National Geographic.</em> 196(5): 98-107. [details] extant flag source Xu, X.; Zhou, Z.; Wang, X. (2000). The smallest known non-avian theropod dinosaur. <em>Nature.</em> 408(6813): 705-708., available online at https://doi.org/10.1038/35047056 [details] From other sources
Taxonomic remark Composite specimen (forgery) combining the head and body of a bird (now Yanornis, syn. Archaeovolans Czerkas & Xu, 2002) with the tail of a dromaeosaurid (now Microraptor zhaoianus). From The Theropod Database (2023 version): The specimen IVPP V12444 was fraudulently combined with the tail of the Microraptor zhaoianus holotype by a Chinese farmer. It was smuggled out of the country then sold at the 1998 Tuscon Gem Show to Czerkas. Currie recognized the legs were part and counterpart slabs of the same bones, while Rowe and Aulenback independently verified the composite nature of the specimen. National Geographic announced the specimen in a press conference in October, and in November, Sloan (1999) published a paper using the name "Archaeoraptor liaoningensis". This was a nomen nudum because it explicitely stated the taxon was to be described formerly in an official publication. That official publication was to have been in Science or Nature, but both journals rejected it. In April, Olson (2000) published an article purporting to officially describe "Archaeoraptor" and attach that name to the dromaeosaurid tail (with the latter as the lectotype). Several months later in December, Xu et al. (2000) officially named Microraptor zhaoianus based on the dromaeosaurid tail and associated anterior part of the skeleton Xu had discovered. At this time, Olshevsky (DML, 2000) noted that Olson's publication predated Xu et al.'s, and he believed that this made Microraptor a junior synonym of "Archaeoraptor". Several days later, Creisler (DML, 2001) pointed out the Olson's attempt to name "Archaeoraptor" was invalid because the ICZN requires a diagnosis in a valid publication, while Olson merely referenced the invalid article by Sloan. Creisler further indicated Olson cannot designate a lectotype without a valid publication defining a holotype first. Thus "Archaeoraptor" is still a nomen nudum, despite Olson's efforts, and Microraptor zhaoianus is the valid name for the IVPP V 12330 dromaeosaurid. [details]Taxonomic remark From Zhou et al., 2002: The principal portion of the Archaeoraptor forgery, which we conclude was constructed from two different specimens belonging to two different species, is therefore representative of a fish-eating bird. [i.e., Yanornis martini] [details] |
