Maniraptora is a group used in biological classification which covers the birds and the archosaurs that were most closely related to them. It is a sister group to Arctometatarsalia and contains the subgroups Deinonychosauria, Oviraptorosauria and Therizinosauroidea, in addition to Aves (birds).

Maniraptors are characterized by elongated arms and hands, as well as a semi-lunate carpal bone in the 'wrist' (carpus). Other basal maniraptor traits include the presence of a furcula, a distally shortened and stiffened tail, feathers and an elongated, backwards-pointing pubis. The 'killer claw', which characterizes dromaeosaurs may also be a basal trait.

Modern pennaceous feathers, remiges and powered flight are present in species from several maniraptorian subgroups, including Aves and Dromaeosauridae.

Classification

• Infraorder Coelurosauria
  • MANIRAPTORA
    • ?Family Alvarezsauridae (may be Ornithomimiformes or Avians)
    • Yixianosaurus
    • Oviraptoriformes
      • Oviraptorosauria
      • Therizinosauria
    • Paraves
      • Pedopenna
      • ?Family Scansoriopterygidae
      • Deinonychosauria
      • Aves

Feathered dinosaurs | Coelurosaurs

Maniraptora | Maniraptora | Maniraptora | Maniraptora | Maniraptora | Maniraptora