Re: Longisquama feathers???

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

> Larry Febo Wrote:
>
> Could anyone point out a good photo of the whole fossil? Or, could 
> someone with access to such a photo, or the specimen itself (Dr 
> Holtz?) tell me there is >NO< possibility they were attached to arms?

Two independent analyses -- Jones et al and Hans-Dieter Sues -- say 
the enlongated scales (or whatever they are) were attached to muscles 
on the back. They were not for flapping flight. They may have been 
unfolded for gliding. (Longisquama was small, so it wouldn't need a 
tremendous aerodynamic lift).

By the way, although five separate specimens of the feather-like 
structures were found, Sues says that reptilian scales often come off 
after death, and there is no serious evidence that these could have 
been stray fern fronds. They came from the animal. -- Jeff Hecht