Feduccia et al: No Evidence Fossil Feathers Are Really Feathers

["Richard W. Travsky" <rtravsky@uwyo.edu>]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/10/051010085411.htm
or
http://www.unc.edu/news/archives/oct05/feducci100705.htm

 Oct. 10, 2005 -- No. 477

Latest study: scientists say no evidence exists
that therapod dinosaurs evolved into birds

By DAVID WILLIAMSON
UNC News Services

CHAPEL HILL -- No good evidence exists that fossilized structures found in 
China and which some paleontologists claim are the earliest known 
rudimentary feathers were really feathers at all, a renowned ornithologist 
says. Instead, the fossilized patterns appear to be bits of decomposed 
skin and supporting tissues that just happen to resemble feathers to a 
modest degree.

Led by Dr. Alan Feduccia of the University of North Carolina at Chapel 
Hill, a team of scientists says that as a result of their new research and 
other studies, continuing, exaggerated controversies over "feathered 
dinosaurs" make no sense.

"We all agree that birds and dinosaurs had some reptilian ancestors in 
common," said Feduccia, professor of biology in UNCs College of Arts and 
Sciences. "But to say dinosaurs were the ancestors of the modern birds we 
see flying around outside today because we would like them to be is a big 
mistake.
...