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Re: Feathered Ornitholestes?
Since _Ornitholestes_ seems to occupy a phylogenetic position close
to
that of compsognathids, including _Sinosauropteryx prima_, feathery
integument seems most likely. _S. prima_ is the best model to use for
now. (And perhaps _Dilong paradoxus_ is the second-best model.)
So far, remiges and rectrices seem to be limited to _Maniraptora_
sensu Sereno, though.<<<
But in Dilong, at least, the dermal structures appear to be branching,
so perhaps a greater degree of elongated tufted structures on the arms
and/or tail are appropriate. Certainly Ornitholestes appears to be too
advanced to be primitively scaled, so without direct evidence I'd go
with "dino-fuzz", possible with some elongated branching structures in
places (but not morphologically modern feathers).
Scott Hartman
Science Director
Wyoming Dinosaur Center
110 Carter Ranch Rd.
Thermopolis, WY 82443
(408) 483-9284
www.skeletaldrawing.com