Re: Non-theropod dinosaurs and feathery/fluffy integument

[Michael Mortimer <mickey_mortimer111@msn.com>]

Brandon Pilcher wrote-

> These are all larger genera. We're discussing smaller dinosaurs. Have any 
> "slab fossils" similar to the Chinese theropod ones been found containing 
> non-theropod dinosaurs?

Psittacosaurus specimens from Liaoning are covered in scales except for the 
apparent quills on the tail, which are quite different-looking from 
feathers, even if they are homologous.

Juvenile Allosaurus have been found with scales, as has Juravenator and 
Epidendrosaurus (on the tail in the latter two).  Santanaraptor shows naked 
skin, however.  Of course these taxa could have had feathers on other parts 
of their bodies (Epidendrosaurus may preserve feathers, but these may be 
collagen instead).  But that could be said for most skin impressions of 
larger dinosaurs too (Carnotaurus, tyrannosaurids, sauropods, ceratopsids), 
with the exception of Edmontosaurus and Brachylophosaurus.

And there's the often mentioned, seldom studied, Thescelosaurus skin which 
was said to be unscaled and "punctured".

Mickey Mortimer