Re: Follow-up: the truth about killer dinosaurs

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

FlxLandry@aol.com wrote:

> And what does he have to say about it? Does he have a  publication in prep 
> on
> the subject, or something like that?

Sorry for sounding so tantalizing, but I wouldn't get excited.  It is 
Olshsevsky's theory that feathers are primitive for the entire Archosauria, 
and that the caudal "quills" of _Psittacosaurus_ represent some 
transmogrified version of feathers.  At least, that's my understanding of 
his theory.  I don't actually endorse this theory, and there is precious 
little evidence to support it; and as far as I know, it isn't published 
(except for an article that appeared around 10 years ago in a now-defunct 
pop-sci/occult magazine).  But I won't say too much, or be too critical, 
because George Olshevsky is unable to defend his interpretation on this 
list.

> These quills look  really strange
> indeed, especially in the reconstruction on the cover of the new  
> Dinosauria. Not a
> really sexy display feature, but maybe psittacosaurs did not  share my 
> tastes,
> although I had always firmly believed that they did.  :-)

Whatever floats your boat, I guess.

Cheers

Tim