RE: Hongshanornis Photo

["Jaime A. Headden" <qilongia@yahoo.com>]

John Hunt (john.bass@ntlworld.com) wrote:

<And enantiornithines were ectothermic?>

  Possibly. De Ricqlès, Padian, Horner, Lamm and Myhrvold (2003, _JVP_
23[2]:373-386) described the histology of *Confuciusornis* and concluded that
it was not fully endothermic, and this has been supported in part by retention
of LAGs and a proposed shortened maturation phase, resulting in small adult
body size. This info may have little to do with metabolism, but these may have
been like similar small mammals and needed to eat to stay warm.

  Cheers,

Jaime A. Headden

"Innocent, unbiased observation is a myth." --- P.B. Medawar (1969)

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