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. 2014 Jan 15;9(1):e85203. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0085203

Figure 1. Inline graphic Microraptor gui from [2], a dromaeosaur from the Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of Liaoning, China; physical models, and sign conventions.

Figure 1

A, Holotype specimen IVPP V13352, scale bar 5 cm. Notable features include semilunate carpal bones, a boomerang-shaped furcula, a shield-shaped sternum without a keel, uncinate processes on the ribs, unfused digits, an intermediate angle of the scapulocoracoid, and a long tail of roughly snout-vent length. In addition, there are impressions of feathers on the forelimbs, hindlimbs, and tail. B-J, Physical models of Inline graphic M. gui, scale model wingspan 20 cm, snout-vent-length 8 cm. Reconstruction postures, B-I, used for constructing physical models: B, sprawled, after [2]; C, tent, after [34], [58]; D, legs-down, after [34]; E, biplane, after [32]. F-I additional manipulations: F, asymmetric leg posture with 9090Inline graphic leg mismatch ( arabesque ); G, example asymmetric leg posture with 45Inline graphic dihedral on one leg ( dégagé ), H, sprawled without leg or tail feathers; I, tent without leg or tail feathers. J, test setup; K, sign conventions, rotation angles, and definitions for model testing, after [10], [30], [31].