Re: Feducciary challenges

["David Marjanovic" <david.marjanovic@gmx.at>]

> In small theropods (and perhaps large theropods too, depending on
geography)
> feathery coats may also have been seasonal - sprouted with the approach of
> cooler weather, and shed at the onset of warmer temps.  This would explain
> the absence of downy structures in _Compsognathus_ and its presence in its
> close relative _Sinosauropteryx_.  (Of course, _Compsognathus_'s nakedness
> may also be attributable to preservational or preparational artifacts; but
> it is worth considering that the apparent absence of integumental
structures
> from the Solnhofen _Compsognathus_ might actually be real.)

Preparational artifacts are probable, because the plate has been polished
around the fossil so that it became easier to make lithographs of it. At
that time (mid-19th century) nobody would have looked for faint feather
impressions.
        However, 1 or 2 new nonavian coelurosaurs have been found there in
the last few years (one famous for its big teeth). We may expect something
of these...