Dave Peters wrote:
It is not clear that this is authentic association, however,
since while apparently some frilliness is in ONE taxon that ONE
individual associated with *Longisquama*, the material in *L.* is
so far unique to itself in nature. That the integumentary
structures (if they are indeed integumentary in origin) have a
super and substructure that is unique, positing similarities due to
an inferred relationship is unsound. It would help if we found an
unfaked skeleton with associated structures and in a better state
of preservation, and/or some method to determine the method of
implantation of these structures in the body.
New assessment of the structures, and a unique, fresher
perspective? Or the fact that Reisz and Sues were speculative, but
Voight et al. were more concrete and used new machines to assist
their analysis?
These "fronds", if they are integumentary in origin, have nothing
to do with wings in *Longisquama*. As such, they are (or should)
not have any bearing on the origin of pterosaur wing structure.
More consistently, you see lizards using their spines and skulls
for breeding displays, and ribs for aerial maneuverability, and
ne'er do the twain meet it seems.
Cheers,
Jaime A. Headden
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