RE: Larry Marten and Russians Discover Longisquama "Feathers"

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Michael Mortimer wrote:

> It's good they're looking for more material though.  Of course, actually 
> describing the holotype well would be a good thing too.  Their model is 
> quite funny, with pararetrices.

To add to what Mickey said, there is actually no proof that these appendages 
('pararetrices') were paired, or even mobile.  The model in the photo was 
perhaps influenced by Haubold and Buffetaut (1987), who reconstructed 
_Longisquama_  as a gliding reptile like _Coelurosauravus_, kuehneosaurids, 
or the modern_Draco_.  Haubold and Buffetaut suggested that _Longisquama_ 
used its appendages as a continuous gliding surface, which was folded over 
the back when not in use - sort of like a butterfly.  There is no actual 
evidence supporting this scenario, given that the holotype specimen seems to 
only show a single dorsal row of plume-like appendages.  Of course, it could 
be that the other side of the gliding 'wing' was not preserved; but this 
would not be the most parsimonious explanation.

Cheers

Tim