Cetacea Posted March 18, 2009 #1 Share Posted March 18, 2009 Fossil hints at fuzzy dinosaurs The filaments or 'protofeathers' are clearly visible on the fossil A discovery in China has prompted researchers to question the scaly image of dinosaurs. Previously, experts thought the first feathered dinosaurs appeared about 150 million years ago, but the find suggests feathers evolved much earlier. This has raised the question of whether many more of the creatures may have been covered with similar bristles, or "dino-fuzz". The team describe the fossil in the journal Nature. Hai-Lu You, a researcher from the Insitute of Geology in Beijing, was part of the team that discovered the fossil. He told BBC News he was "very excited" when he realised the significance of what his team had found. He described the filaments seen on the body of the new dinosaur, which the team has named Tianyulong confuciusi, as "protofeathers" - the precursors of modern feathers. "Their function was probably display, as well as to keep the body warm" he said. Dr You's team noticed that the filaments on the base of their dinosaur's tail were extremely long. These, they suggest, might have evolved for show, and may even have been coloured. "The world of dinosaurs would [have been] more colourful and active than we previously imagined," he said. More here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schizoidwoman Posted March 18, 2009 #2 Share Posted March 18, 2009 There seems to have been a run of interesting fossil finds lately.. thanks for the post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaftsbury Posted March 19, 2009 #3 Share Posted March 19, 2009 From the LInk: He added: "But the good news is that we can now look at existing evidence with new eyes - going back to old fossils and asking if there is evidence of any of these filaments." That was the first thing that popped into my mind, how much additional evidence is literally laying there in museum storerooms gathering dust? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLivingDead Posted March 20, 2009 #4 Share Posted March 20, 2009 That was the first thing that popped into my mind, how much additional evidence is literally laying there in museum storerooms gathering dust? I know! I'm sure its astounding. I love hearing of new discoveries and cannot wait for future ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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