Microraptor Muscle Study

This portrays a generalized muscle study of the tiny dromaeosaurid Microraptor gui, based on an outline skeleton without specific propotions adhered to, and modeled from generalized reptiulian and some specific avian muscle patterns. Done to consider how the limbs would look muscled and their apparent effect in being "birdy" or not. Notice the shallow belly, long legs, and the tendons of the arm that form propatagial and cheiropatagial membranes. The hands and feet are shown feathered and skinned, including squamation when relevant, to portray the feathers of the limbs that are integral to considering Microraptor in an evolutionary, biomechanical, and ecological sense.