Family Dromaeosauridae Matthew and Brown, 1922
Subfamily Microraptorinae
Revised diagnosis: The following combination of characters distinguish the
Microraptorinae from other dromaeosaurids; narrow-waisted coracoid; large tear-dropshaped
coracoid fenestra; post acetabular ilium bent sharply ventrally; pelvis
opisthopubic with boot bent sharply backwards; prominent lateral tuberosity on pubis;
nearly vertical ischium with enlarged obturator process; femur with elevated head (above
greater trochanter); metatarsal V over 50% length of metatarsal IV; metatarsal I more
proximally situated than other known dromaeosaurids; dorsally situated articular surface
on manus unguals.
Remarks: Senter et al. (2004) recognized a clade consisting of Sinornithosaurus,
Microraptor, and Bambiraptor that was informally referred to as the Microraptoria.
Sereno et al. (2005) created a “definitional taxon” that they termed the Microraptorinae,
defining it as the “most inclusive clade containing Microraptor zhaoianus but not
Dromaeosaurus albertensis, Velociraptor mongoliensis, Unenlagia comahuensis, or
Passer domesticus”. Sereno et al. also state that Sinornithosaurus millenii and
Bambiraptor feinbergi are members of this clade, suggesting that his concept of the
Microraptorinae is very similar, if not identical, to that of Senter et al. (2004). Longrich
and Currie (2009) revised the Microraptorinae and placed Bambiraptor in a new clade,
the Saurornitholestinae, and added Shanag as a member.
Alternatively, it has been suggested that the Maniraptora nested within Aves (Martin,
2004; James and Pourtless, 2009). Czerkaset al. (2002) also considered the Maniraptora
within Aves and placed the newly named dromaeosaurid Cryptovolans pauli accordingly.