New papers (some relevant to bird origins)

["Tim Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Several new papers are out, some of them pertinent to bird origins.  I?ll 
hold off on any derisive comments, even though I'm highly skeptical of some 
of the claims made in these papers.


Firstly, a paper concerning _Longisquama_.  To anyone who believes that 
growing a row of feathers along one's back (a la the _Longisquama_ of Jones 
et al., 2000) would be an utter waste of time (and protein), think again.  
The feathers along _Longisquama_'s back served as a highly effective 
anti-predation mechanism...


Potter, H. (2001).  A new _Longisquama_-like archosaur from the Middle 
Triassic of Shazamistan, and a re-description of _Longisquama_.  _North 
Carolina Journal of Paleornithology_ 4(1): 3-14.


Describes a new relative of _Longisquama insignis_, named _Shortisquama 
insipidus_, also from Central Asia.  Like _Longisquama_, this new species 
shows a single row of feather-like appendages growing out of its back, but 
shorter than those of _Longisquama_.

According to this study, _Longisquama_ has true feathers, and they evolved 
as a defense strategy against predation.  If a predator came too close to 
_Longisquama_, it used its feathers to tickle the nose of the would-be 
predator, causing it to sneeze.  _Longisquama_ then made ts escape.

_Longisquama_ and _Shortisquama_ are assigned to the new avian Order 
Longisquamiformes.  The Longisquamiformes, Cosesauriformes and 
Megalancosauriformes make up the new Subclass Arcaneornithes of the Class 
Aves.

-------

Mulder, F. and Scully, D. (2001).  The pathologic identity of the  
?feathers? of _Sinornithosaurus_ and other ?feathered? theropods.  _Kansas 
Journal of Contentious Science_ 34(8): 56-59.


This study determines that the integumentary structures seen in the various 
Liaoning theropods are not feathers at all, but represent fossilized fungal 
impressions.  The dinosaur?s skin was riddled with fungus!

The branching filamentous structures seen in _Sinornithosurus_, which 
paleontologists (silly people) have mistaken for feathers, are really the 
hyphae of a species of prehistoric fungus.


-------

Zogu, A.B. (2001).  Two specimens of a new bird _Nopcsaornis flamboyans_ 
(Aves: Confuciusornithidae) from the Yixian Formation of Liaoning Province, 
China.  _Albanian Journal of Science_  67: 1-10.


Describes two specimens of a new primitive bird _Nopcsaornis_, named in 
honor of European paleontologist Baron von Nopcsa (who actually worked on 
reconstructing the origin of flight in birds).

This study claims that the two _Nopcsaornis_ specimens were caught by 
surprise, and were preserved in a pose of cloacal apposition at the time of 
death.  The most distinctive feature of this Early Cretaceous bird is its 
flamboyant plumage, even more elaborate than that of _Confuciusornis_.  
Interestingly, this elaborate plumage is found in both _Nopcsaornis_ 
specimens...


-------

Not on the topic of birds or feathers, but for those who have an
interest in other kinds of theropods...

Bakker, R.T. (2001).  The utterly terrifying theropod _Epanterias_, from the 
Morrison Formation (Late Jurassic; Kimmeridgian-Tithonian) of Montana, North 
Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.  _Hyperia_ 
99(1): 1-145.


Bakker re-affirms the validity of the carnosaur genus _Epanterias_, and 
describes several new species based on material referable to this genus.  
All six species are based on fragmentary material.  He refers _Edmarka rex_ 
to this genus, as _Epanterias rex_ (new comb.), the second-largest of the 
_Epanterias_ species.

Bakker defines the six _Epanterias_ species by size and stature.  These are 
(from largest to smallest): _Epanterias imperator_, _E. rex_, _E. dux_, _E. 
princeps_, _E. dictator_ and (a small Texan species) _E.
bush_.


-------

A paper from my own stomping ground, Down Under...

Gunston, N. (2001).  Heaps of beaut new theropods from yonks ago, up there 
in Banana Bender country.  _Proceedings of the Pauline Hanson Institute for 
Multicultural Studies_ 0(1): 1993-1996.


The title says it all.  Several new theropods are described from Queensland, 
northeastern Australia.  The paper is written in Australian, and I'm still 
in the process of translating it (hey, it's been a while.)

It seems _Ozraptor_ was part of a hitherto unknown radiation of strange 
theropods.  The new genera are: _Lyonnesseraptor_, _Xanaduraptor_, 
_Honaleeraptor_, and _Neverlandraptor_.


-------

And finally,...

Cote, Mahatma (2001).  The identity of a giant theropod dinosaur from India. 
 _Collected Papers of Taprobane University, Series B: Science and 
Technology_.  543: 1-2.


The 100-ton theropod _Gargantuosaurus stupendus_, named from what was 
thought to be a partial tibia, is re-interpreted as part of a rusty 
drainpipe.



Tim



------------------------------------------------------------

Timothy J. Williams

USDA/ARS Researcher
Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50014

Phone: 515 294 9233
Fax:   515 294 3163

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com