Re: Paedomorphosis ( Re: BARYONYX' CLAWS )

[augwhite@neosoft.com (Toby White)]

Mathew Troutman said (inter alia):

>Now, I want to reiterate this, the stages of penguin and auk ( and 
>probably plotopterid ) flight can be considered a smooth transition from 
>aerial flier, aerial-submarine flier, and submarine flight. Here are the 
>steps:

Why do I get this sick and uneasy feeling we're headed for yet another
theory of "ornithogenesis?"  Suppose wings and feathers were an adaptation
to diving, rather than flying, running or climbing.  Feathers are lousy
insulation for archesaurs in air, but might be great insulation for divers
(for, of course, divers reasons).  Increased oxygen capacity and endothermy?
Adaptations for water.  Plus it has the advantage of delicious irony,
completing the process of standing the pre-1970 dino world on its head.
Actually the giant sauropods placidly munched leaves on dry land while the
agile theropods cavorted in the waves.

This is terrible.  Will some sane person tell me why this cannot be so.
Quick, stop me before I speculate again!

  --Toby White