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Re: *Microraptor* the biplane: published




Subject: Re: *Microraptor* the biplane: published
Date: Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:17:47 -0600

The 'biplane' configuration for aerial locomotion in _Microraptor_ is an ecomorphological hypothesis. Metatarsal contour feathers as a character that is primitive for Aves - this is a phylogenetic hypothesis. If a phylogenetic analysis finds support for the latter, it would corroborate the hypothesis that a biplane configuration is primitive for Aves. So far, there is no compelling evidence that the direct ancestors of birds passed through a biplane stage. On the other hand, there is no compelling evidence that they didn't.

What sort of fossil would cinch either side? If there definitively *was* a biplane stage, what might we one day find? If there definitively *was not* a biplane stage, what would we find instead?


*is curious*

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