Re: Scaly tyrannosaurs; fact or fiction?

["Steve Brusatte" <dinoland@lycos.com>]

On 1 Jan 01 16:46:32 EST  
 archosaur wrote:
>It has recently been brought to my attention that the finds of skin
>impressions in tyrannosaurs indicating a scaly hide have been cast in doubt.
>
>What I was wondering is what were the reasons behind this? 
>
>Are all three skin impressions believed to be dubious or is it only one of
>them?
>
>Does anyone know where I might be able to get some more info on it?

Well, I haven't heard anything about this discovery, but I would also be 
interested to see if anyone else has information.

If there were, indeed, Tyrannosaur skin impressions found, then I would be 
curious to see if they show any evidence of feathers.  Most cladograms show 
Tyrannosaurus well within the range of feathers, but no Tyrannosaur specimens 
have been fossilized in the ideal conditions needed for fine impressions.  

Personally, I think it is much more imaginable that Tyrannosaurus may have 
possessed feathers as a juvenile, which may have been used to keep in body heat 
while it grew quickly, and then shed them later as a sub-adult or adult.  Just 
my own thoughts...but unsubstantiated.  

Steve

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