Re: New Protarcheaopteryx specimens

[Jeff Hecht <jhecht@world.std.com>]

Tom Quinn wrote:
>I looked on the site, but did not see anything on this. Could you give
>me the full URL?
>
>THOM Q
>>
>> This week's issue of New Scientist includes my report on two new
>> Protarchaeopteryx specimens being studied at the National Geological Museum
>> of China in Beijing. The best preserved one has feathers definitely
>> attached to the wing (or front leg) and tail. The wing feathers are
>> symmetrical, a sign that the animal probably did not fly. Age of the
>> Liaoning deposits containing the fossils remains the subject of debate;
>> Chinese paleontologists believe they are latest Jurassic, but radiometric
>> dates range from about 128 to 110 million years. For details, see the New
>> Scientist web site.
>>
The title is "fallen fowl," alluding to the possible loss of flight, but
rather hiding the article from the casual browser. My apologies. And in
response to another question, the account is based on information supplied
by Ji Shu'an from the Beijing museum.

Jeff Hecht     Boston Correspondent    New Scientist magazine
525 Auburn St.,          Auburndale, MA 02166             USA
tel 617-965-3834 fax 617-332-4760 e-mail jhecht@world.std.com
URL: http://www.sff.net/people/Jeff.Hecht/
see New Scientist on the Web: http://www.newscientist.com/