Feathered dinosaurs (1 Viewer)

[Fred Ruhe]

Daniel T. Ksepka, 2020

Feathered dinosaurs.

Current Biology 30(22): R1347-R1353
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2020.10.007

https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(20)31511-6

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0960982220315116Â

Free pdf:
https://www.cell.com/action/showPdf?pii=S0960-9822(20)31511-6


Feathers are the most complex integumentary structures in the animal world. They come in a variety of forms, the most familiar of which are remiges (flight feathers). Flight feathers are composed of a central shaft made up of a hollow calamus (quill), which is inserted into the skin, and a more distal rachis. Hundreds of parallel barbs branch from the sides of the rachis. In turn, smaller hooked barbules branch off the barbs, allowing them to interlock in a tight zipper-like fashion to form vanes. Variations in rachis, barb and barbule morphology result in other feather types such as contour feathers, bristles and down feathers. Feathers have a remarkable array of functions -- they form airfoils and elaborate display structures, they serve to camouflage and insulate, to generate and help detect sound, and even to disintegrate into powder to condition other feathers.

Enjoy,

Fred

 

[Fred Ruhe]

Figure Feathered dinosaur specimens.
(A) Reconstruction of the neornithischian Kulindadromeus zabaikalicus with details of (B) basally branching feathers from leg and (C) bundle of “bristles” from underside of tail. (D) Reconstruction and (E) skeleton of the ceratopsian Psittacosaurus sp. with detail of (F) tail bristles. (G) Reconstruction and (H) skeleton of the compsognathid Sinosauropteryx prima with details of filamentous feathers from the (I) neck and (J) tail. (K) Reconstruction and (L) skeleton of the ornithomimosaur Ornithomimus edmonticus with detail of (M) carbonized traces on forearm representing either pennaceous feather shafts or broad monofi lamentous feathers. (N) Reconstruction and (O) skeleton of the probable early bird Anchiornis huxleyi with detail of (P) symmetrically vaned wing feathers. (Q) Reconstruction and (R) skeleton of the dromaeosaurid Microraptor gui with detail of (S) asymmetrically vaned wing feathers, with arrow showing partial molt. Skeletal reconstructions by Jaime Headden. Photos courtesy of Pascal Godefroit (B,C), Gerald Mayr (E,F), Evan Saitta (I,J), Darla Zelenitsky (L,M), and Mick Ellison (H,O,P,R,S).

Fred

 

[scilover]

are birds these days are existed because of the feathered dinosaur???