A new feather type in a nonavian theropod and the early evolution of feathers.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
; 106(3): 832-4, 2009 Jan 20.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19139401
All described feathers in nonavian theropods are composite structures formed by multiple filaments. They closely resemble relatively advanced stages predicted by developmental models of the origin of feathers, but not the earliest stage. Here, we report a feather type in two specimens of the basal therizinosaur Beipiaosaurus, in which each individual feather is represented by a single broad filament. This morphotype is congruent with the stage I morphology predicted by developmental models, and all major predicted morphotypes have now been documented in the fossil record. This congruence between the full range of paleontological and developmental data strongly supports the hypothesis that feathers evolved and initially diversified in nonavian theropods before the origin of birds and the evolution of flight.
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Bases de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Dinosaurios
/
Evolución Biológica
/
Plumas
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Año:
2009
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
China