|
''Palaeochiropteryx'' ( ) is an extinct genus of bat from the Middle Eocene of Europe. It contains two very similar species – ''Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon'' and ''Palaeochiropteryx spiegeli'', both from the famous Messel Pit of Germany. They are usually found complete and exceptionally preserved, even retaining the outlines of their fur, ears, and wing membranes. They are one of the oldest bats known, existing around 48 million years ago. Despite this, they were already quite advanced, showing evidence of the ability to hunt by echolocation like modern insect-eating bats. ''Palaeochiropteryx'' were small bats, with a wingspan between . Their wings were short but broad, indicating an adaptation for slow but highly maneuverable flight beneath forest canopies and among dense vegetation. They preyed mostly on moths and caddisflies and were probably nocturnal. ==Discovery and classification== Fossils of both species of ''Palaeochiropteryx'' were first recovered from the Messel Pit, near the village of Messel, Germany in 1917. They were described and named by the Swiss naturalist Pierre Revilliod. He placed them under their own family – Palaeochiropterygidae.〔 The name ''Palaeochiropteryx'' means "Ancient hand-wing", from Greek παλαιός (''palaios'', "old"), χείρ (''kheir'', "hand"), and πτέρυξ (''pteruks'', "wing").〔 The two species have only been found at Messel. They are quite common and account for three quarters of all bat fossils found there,〔〔 with ''Archaeonycteris'', ''Hassianycteris'', and ''Tachypteron'' making up the rest.〔 Like other fossils from the locality, they are often found in remarkable states of preservation, retaining traces of fur, stomach contents, wing membranes, and even ears.〔 The two species belonging to the genus are the following: *''Palaeochiropteryx tupaiodon'' Revilliod, 1917 *''Palaeochiropteryx spiegeli'' Revilliod, 1917 In 1980, their parent taxon, Palaeochiropterygidae, was merged with Archaeonycteridae by the paleontologists Björn Kurtén and Elaine Anderson.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=''Palaeochiropteryx'' )〕 Authorities specializing in bat fossils, however, maintain the distinction between the two families.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Palaeochiropterygidae )〕 The Messel Pit formation dates from the Lutetian age of the Middle Eocene. Between 48.6 ± 0.2 and 40.4 ± 0.2 million years ago. Along with ''Onychonycteris'', ''Icaronycteris'', ''Hassianycteris'', and ''Archaeonycteris''; members of ''Palaeochiropteryx'' are among the oldest known bats.〔 All are identifiable by more or less complete skeletons. While there are fossils of other older bats such as ''Australonycteris'', these are only recognisable from fragmented examples. Close relatives of ''Palaeochiropteryx'' include the Middle Eocene ''Cecilionycteris'', ''Lapichiropteryx'' and ''Microchiropteryx'', all recovered from partial remains from Germany, China, and India, respectively.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Palaeochiropteryx」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|