Re: Pterodactylus web article for National Geographic Deutschland

["Tim Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

> The website for the German version of National
> Geographic had a special additional feature about a newly
> discovered specimen of Pterodactylus that preserved webbed
> feet, very large sickle-shaped claws, a conspicuous "mane"
> of hairlike structures along its neck and back,

Now, can we be sure that these "hairlike structures" are not macerated
collagen fibres; crystal mineral filtrations; a midline dermal frill;
decaying fibrous vegetation; rampant fungal contamination...

The very idea that a non-avian or non-mammalian vertebrate should have a
hair-like (or feather-like) body covering is just too ridiculous to
contemplate!!


:-)



Tim



------------------------------------------------------------

Timothy J. Williams

USDA/ARS Researcher
Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50014

Phone: 515 294 9233
Fax:   515 294 3163

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