Re: Coelursaurs

[Stan Friesen <swf@ElSegundoCA.NCR.COM>]

From: "Alex W. Hertzog" <ahertzog@ozarks.sgcl.lib.mo.us>
 > 
 > I recently checked out Bakker's _Dinosaur_Heresies_ from a local library, 
 > and I saw a picture of what appeared to be a coelursaur (specifically, 
 > Deinonychus, as I recall) with feathers. That's the first time I'd ever 
 > heard of that possibility. What I'd like to know is, how probable is it that 
 > deinonychus had feathers? Is it accurate?
 > 
The real answer is we don't know.  However ...

Since brids apparently evolved from small theropod dinosaurs, and
feathers originally evolved as insulation before they were co-opted
for flight, it is extremely likely that *some* small theropods
had feathers.  Which ones, however, is totally unknown at this time.
[Feathers are *extremely* rare in the fossil record - even most
bird fossils lack feathers].

swf@elsegundoca.ncr.com         sarima@netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.