Re: Ectothermy?

[TomHopp@aol.com]

Larry Febo wrote:
<< Just read Tom Hopp`s mention of "one time" evolution of dermal scutes,
follicles etc., I myself have a strong feeling about a once only development
of warm-bloodedness, and that being mainly for the incubation of the young

in a colder enviorn. In fact, I`m looking at endothermy before the synapsid-
diapsid split. (I don`t believe we should place diapsid beginnings way

after synapsid development based upon the scant fossil record of early diapsid
forms).>>
    And wasn't it in that same post, or a closely related one, that I placed
my bet for a one-time evolution of endothermy during the Devonian period?  Did
you miss that one? Isn't there a shark that has a core body temperature above
ambient? Great White maybe? And what do you think of my "fuzzy little
salamanders" idea?
I'm still big on that. They would be your first land-brooding endotherm
candidate.  Know of a good Carboniferous outcrop in the Seattle area? -- I'll
go dig some up.
    Seriously though, lets keep an eye on the molecular systematists.  As
Mickey Rowe pointed out, an analysis of "uncoupling protein" genes will
probably give a good time-estimate for the origin of heat generating
metabolism.
    Tom Hopp