Overall, the anatomy of the caenagnathids is similar to that of the closely related Oviraptoridae, but there are a number of differences.
In particular, caenagnathid jaws exhibited a distinct suite of specializations not seen in other oviraptorosaurs.
Compared to the oviraptorids, the jaws tended to be relatively long and shallow, suggesting that the bite was not as powerful.
The inside of the lower jaws also bore a complex series of ridges and toothlike processes, as well as a pair of horizontal, shelf-like structures.
Furthermore, the jaws were unusual in being hollow and air filled, apparently being connected to the air sac system.
Caenagnathids also tended to be more lightly built than the oviraptorids.
They had slender arms and long, gracile legs, although they lacked the extreme cursorial specializations seen in avimimids and Caudipteryx.
Overall, the anatomy of the caenagnathids is similar to that of the closely related Oviraptoridae, but there are a number of differences. In particular, caenagnathid jaws exhibited a distinct suite of specializations not seen in other oviraptorosaurs. Compared to the oviraptorids, the jaws tended to be relatively long and shallow, suggesting that the bite was not as powerful. The inside of the lower jaws also bore a complex series of ridges and toothlike processes, as well as a pair of horizontal, shelf-like structures. Furthermore, the jaws were unusual in being hollow and air filled, apparently being connected to the air sac system. Caenagnathids also tended to be more lightly built than the oviraptorids. They had slender arms and long, gracile legs, although they lacked the extreme cursorial specializations seen in avimimids and Caudipteryx.
Caenagnathidae