Neotheropoda

Neotheropoda is a clade of theropod dinosaurs that emerged during the Late Jurassic period. This group represents a significant evolutionary step within the theropod lineage, encompassing a diverse array of carnivorous dinosaurs that would eventually lead to the evolution of birds. Key characteristics of neotheropods include fused clavicles, forming a furcula or wishbone, and a more advanced hip structure that allowed for bipedal locomotion. Their forelimbs became increasingly specialized, often adapted for grasping prey or, in later forms, for flight.

The basal members of Neotheropoda, such as Allosaurus and Ceratosaurus, were large, formidable predators that dominated terrestrial ecosystems. As the group evolved, more derived forms like coelurosaurs appeared, which were generally smaller and more agile. This latter group includes dromaeosaurs (raptors), tyrannosaurs, and the maniraptorans, a highly diverse assemblage that ultimately gave rise to birds. The evolutionary success of Neotheropoda is evident in the sheer variety of body plans and ecological niches they occupied, from terrestrial hunters to aerial acrobats. Their fossil record provides crucial insights into the diversification of predatory dinosaurs and the origins of avian flight.