RE: Revising Hou et al, 96 (very very long)

["Williams, Tim" <TiJaWi@agron.iastate.edu>]

Rutger Jansma wrote:

> But from what I have heard, they share the same design as
> proto-feathers, or should I check my sources again?

Ah yes... the protofeathers/parafeathers/quasifeathers of _Longisquama_.  A
few people (including Greg Paul in DA) have suggested that the things
apparently sprouting from the back of _Longisquama_ might not be
integumentary appendages at all - but leaves, and that the creature is lying
on top of them.  

Even if _Longisquama_'s things are of integumentary origin, that doesn't
necessary make them feathers (or some kind of precursor or homolog to
feathers).  Check the archives. 

:-)


Tim