Re: Feathering in coelurosaurs

["Jordan Mallon" <j_mallon@hotmail.com>]

Mary Nalasco wrote:
> It seems probable to me that baby tyrannosaurs had feathers, but I'm
> wondering about adults of small species like Alioramus, who are no bigger 
> or
> even smaller than some coelurosaurs of other groups, like Utahraptor. Is it
> a question of metabolism, perhaps? Can more evolved coelurosaurs manage
> feathers better?

As has already been mentioned, it isn't necessarily a question of metabolism 
(although the presence of feathers would certainly indicate perhaps some 
type of insulation for "warm-blooded" dinosaurs).  Feathers may have simply 
served the purpose in dinosaurs of acting as diplay devices, useful for 
attracting mates.  If this was indeed the case for the coelurosaurs, then 
even the larger forms like T.rex could have sported some form of showy 
feathers (in fact, I would imagine the young juveniles' feathers would have 
developed into quite an elegant display by the time the animal reached 
sexual maturity.  Perhaps turning from a dull shade of grey to a bright 
orange or something).

- Jordan Mallon

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