Lectavis

bird from the Lecho (Formation)

• Lecto- · Modern (from Lecho Formation, Spanish 'l · Lecho, the formation where it was found
• avis · Latin · bird

Lectavis combines a reference to the Lecho Formation of northwestern Argentina, where the fossils were found, with the Latin word "avis", meaning bird. It was named for the rock unit that yielded the type specimen. The only named species is Lectavis bretincola.

Named by

Chiappe

Year named

1993

Period

Late Cretaceous

Stage

Maastrichtian

Found in

Lecho Formation, Salta Province, Argentina

Lectavis is an enantiornithine bird, a member of an extinct group of Mesozoic birds. Birds are technically dinosaurs, but Lectavis is not a non-avian dinosaur. It is known from fragmentary remains, mainly leg bones. The etymology of the first element is inferred from the formation name, so treat it with some caution.