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Description
Requested by dylan613

Scientific Name: Epidexipteryx hui
Pronunciation: epp-ee-dex-ip-ter-ix
Meaning in Latin: ‬Display feather
Code Name: Epidex
Discovered by: Zhang Fucheng et al, 2008
Classification: Animalia, Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Dinosauria,‭ ‬Saurischia,‭ Theropoda, Neotheropoda, Averostra, Tetanurae, Orionides, Avetheropoda, Coelurosauria, Tyrannoraptora, Maniraptoromorpha, Maniraptoriformes, Maniraptora, Pennaraptora, Paraves, Avialae, Scansoriopterygidae

Temporal range: Middle Jurassic, 164 million years ago
Location: ‬Asia, China - Daohugou Beds
Length: 25 centimeters (10 in) long; total comprising of the tail feathers is 44.5 centimeters (17.5 in) long
Weight: 164 grams (0.5 lb)
Diet: Insectivore

This strange little creature's discovery in 2008 changed the understanding of feathers' evolution. Here was a pigeon-sized flightless dinosaur covered in fluffy down and boasting four long, straight and very striking tail feathers that must have been ornamental - and it dated from between 168 to 160 million years ago, in the Middle to Late Jurassic. That is significantly before Archaeopteryx, traditionally considered the first known bird, which dates from 147 million years ago. So Epidexipteryx proves that feathers were being used for display for millions of years before they developed a flight purpose. The appearance is reminiscent of some modern birds of paradise, and they may have had a similar dual use of attracting mates and threatening enemies.

The exquisite fossil came from the Daohugou beds in Nincheng Country, Inner Mongolia, which is a semi-autonomous province of China. As well as the distinct feather impressions it showed small claws and a long third finger, which could have been used for extracting beetle grubs from bark as it scampered up and down tree trunks.

Pim, Keiron. (2013). THE BUMPER BOOK OF DINOSAURS. Square Peg.

Model based on: Epidexipteryx from Planet Dinosaur (2011)
Spore Abilities: Level 2 Jump, Level 43 Sprint, Level 1 Sneak, Level 2 Bite, Level 1 Charge, Level 1 Strike, Level 2 Sing, Level 2 Dance, Level 4 Charm

Description
Requested by dylan613

Scientific Name: Epidexipteryx hui
Pronunciation: epp-ee-dex-ip-ter-ix
Meaning in Latin: ‬Display feather
Code Name: Epidex
Discovered by: Zhang Fucheng et al, 2008
Classification: Animalia, Chordata,‭ ‬Reptilia,‭ ‬Dinosauria,‭ ‬Saurischia,‭ Theropoda, Neotheropoda, Averostra, Tetanurae, Orionides, Avetheropoda, Coelurosauria, Tyrannoraptora, Maniraptoromorpha, Maniraptoriformes, Maniraptora, Pennaraptora, Paraves, Avialae, Scansoriopterygidae

Temporal range: Middle Jurassic, 164 million years ago
Location: ‬Asia, China - Daohugou Beds
Length: 25 centimeters (10 in) long; total comprising of the tail feathers is 44.5 centimeters (17.5 in) long
Weight: 164 grams (0.5 lb)
Diet: Insectivore

This strange little creature's discovery in 2008 changed the understanding of feathers' evolution. Here was a pigeon-sized flightless dinosaur covered in fluffy down and boasting four long, straight and very striking tail feathers that must have been ornamental - and it dated from between 168 to 160 million years ago, in the Middle to Late Jurassic. That is significantly before Archaeopteryx, traditionally considered the first known bird, which dates from 147 million years ago. So Epidexipteryx proves that feathers were being used for display for millions of years before they developed a flight purpose. The appearance is reminiscent of some modern birds of paradise, and they may have had a similar dual use of attracting mates and threatening enemies.

The exquisite fossil came from the Daohugou beds in Nincheng Country, Inner Mongolia, which is a semi-autonomous province of China. As well as the distinct feather impressions it showed small claws and a long third finger, which could have been used for extracting beetle grubs from bark as it scampered up and down tree trunks.

Pim, Keiron. (2013). THE BUMPER BOOK OF DINOSAURS. Square Peg.

Model based on: Epidexipteryx from Planet Dinosaur (2011)
Spore Abilities: Level 2 Jump, Level 43 Sprint, Level 1 Sneak, Level 2 Bite, Level 1 Charge, Level 1 Strike, Level 2 Sing, Level 2 Dance, Level 4 Charm