Norell and Xu (2005) - Feathered dinosaurs

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev.earth.33.092203.122511


Norell, M.A. and X. Xu (2005).  Feathered dinosaurs.  Annual Review of Earth 
and Planetary Sciences 33: 277-299

Abstract: Recent fossil discoveries from Early Cretaceous rocks of Liaoning 
Province, China, have provided a wealth of spectacular specimens. Included 
in these are the remains of several different kinds of small theropod 
dinosaurs, many of which are extremely closely related to modern birds. 
Unique preservation conditions allowed soft tissues of some of these 
specimens to be preserved. Many dinosaur specimens that preserve feathers 
and other types of integumentary coverings have been recovered. These 
fossils show a progression of integumentary types from simple fibers to 
feathers of modern aspect. The distribution of these features on the bodies 
of these animals is surprising in that some show large tail plumes, whereas 
others show the presence of wing-like structures on both fore and hind 
limbs. The phylogenetic distribution of feather types is highly congruent 
with models of feather evolution developed from developmental biology.