ALETHOALAORNITHIDAE FAM.NOV.:A NEW FAMILY OF ENANTIORNITHINE BIRD FROM THE LOWER CRETACEOUS OF WESTERN LIAONING

In this paper we report a new family of enantiornithiness from the Early Cretaceous of western Liaoning:Alethoalaornithidae Fam.nov.The new family is assigned to Cathayornithiformes based on similar length of trochlea at the distal end of tarsometatarsus.The main features of Alethoalaornithidae are listed below:sharp beak;few and rudimentary teeth;carpometacarpus developed basically ;coracoid broad at the distal end;obvious foramina at the proximal end of humerus;long pygostyle;three digits of tarsometatarsus being the same in length with trochlea at the same height;and long claws,with no curves.