411 REFERENCE · Wiktionary
Proavis
Reference material by Wiktionary contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
proavis Pro-Avis
English
vertical Nopcsa proavis.jpg Hypothetical reconstruction of a running Proavis. Tetrapteryx.jpg Hypothetical reconstruction of a winged Proavis.
Alternative forms
en Pro-Avis
Etymology
From en pro- prior avis la bird
Noun
Proaves
en paleontology Any of various hypothetical extinct species or taxa that were coined in the early 20th century in an attempt to support and explain the hypothetical evolutionary steps and anatomical adaptations leading from non-avian theropod dinosaurs to birds.
See also
†Archaeopteryx genus