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Re: pterylae & tails
Alan Brush wrote:
A primitive feather, such as the filaments in Sinosauropteryx or the more
complex tufted structures in Dromeosaurs, is a consequence of the way the
follicle works, not the results of some selective force working on its
product.
Why not both?
(This point really grabbed my interest - could you elaborate a little more?)
By the way, the same follicle is completely capable of
producing feathers of different morphology--and function--in sequential
molts.
Now, that *is* interesting...
Cheers
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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