Re: Non-theropod dinosaurs and feathery/fluffy integument

[David Marjanovic <david.marjanovic@gmx.at>]

> Are pstittacos found in both Yixian faunas [...]?

Yes. As usual, those from the lower part of the Yixian formation are 3-D 
bones only, while those from the upper part are 2-D complete skeletons with 
scales, like how the lizards and champsosaurs preserve scales there. The 
specimen with the quills is a slab from the upper part and has scales all 
over the body.

Regarding the identity of those quills, they cannot be from a plant because 
their color and their regular arrangement with respect to the vertebrae 
simply rule this out. Have a look at the photos (anyone want the pdf? :-) ). 
Stage I feathers are supposed to be hollow and unbranched, which probably 
means they are identical to these quills, except that the quills are much 
bigger than predicted for stage I feathers. Thus, the homology remains an 
open question.

The juvenile *Allosaurus* with scale impressions is 4 m long, so it may not 
qualify as "small"...