RE: Feathering in coelurosaurs

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

First, I wrote:
> >even the larger forms like T.rex could have sported some form of showy
> feathers

To which martinh replied:
> Given that we are looking at an animal several metres tall, I would think
> that the skin surface would offer plenty of "canvas" for display, without
> the need for feathers as well.

Note that large dinos such as _Torosaurus_ also had plenty of "canvas" 
surface area, but instead it developed a huge frill as a means of display.  
Also, today's modern elephants have plenty of surface area that could be 
used as a sexual "billboard" but they make no use of it.  Simply because a 
certain animal has a lot of skin doesn't mean it will use it as a means of 
display.  So, despite having a large flank, tyrannosaurs could have still 
sported a least _some_ type of feathery integument (perhaps around the head 
or something).
But, as an aside, note that there has been tyrannosaur skin impressions 
found in Alberta that may have a completely neutralizing effect on what I 
just said (see: http://www.dinosauria.com/jdp/trex/skin.htm).
Man, I hope that made sense.  It's hard to word things right when you're in 
a rush to get your homework done.

- Jordan Mallon
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