Re: Evolution of flight

["Allan Edels" <edels@email.msn.com>]

Dann (et al):

    My understanding of _Archaeopteryx_ being called the first bird is that
it shares many other bird characters besides feathers, such as reduced
number of teeth, arm structure, and the "wishbone".  (Also, the specific
feathers found indicate that _Archaeopteryx_ could fly).

    Allan Edels

-----Original Message-----
From: Dann Pigdon <dannj@alphalink.com.au>
To: dinosaur@usc.edu <dinosaur@usc.edu>
>From what I have read it seems that archaeopteryx shares
>more in common with theropod dinosaurs than true birds, and I have
>read suggestions that it may not have contributed to the modern
>bird line at all. It was originally labled as the "first bird" based
>mainly on the presence of feathers, which at the time was thought
>to be something unique to birds. Evidence now suggests that this is
>not the case, with many people suggesting that feathers may have
>been widespread amongst the smaller theropods.
>
>--
>____________________________________________________
> Dann Pigdon
> Melbourne, Australia
>
> Dinosaur Reconstructions:
> http://www.geocities.com/capecanaveral/4459/
> Australian Dinosaurs:
> http://www.alphalink.com.au/~dannj
>____________________________________________________
>