[Merged]Dinosaur feathers 'developed for courtship'

[Bling]

Research suggests that not only did wings evolve in dinosaurs earlier than previously thought, they may have evolved merely for courtship displays. A study in Science describes three Ornithomimosaur specimens - distantly related to birds - from Canada. Both juvenile and adult specimens had evidence of downy feathers, but only an adult had wing-like structures.That suggests that wings may have evolved not for flight, but rather to aid in the quest to reproduce.

http://www.bbc.co.uk...onment-20079390

Doubt it would have worked for a T-Rex though....

[Ashotep]

I guess you have to do something if you can't go shopping for that fluff and frill to get someone interested. Their way was much cheaper.

[taniwha]

....What 'evolved' first, the wing or the feather?...

.... Is a feathered dinosaur really sexier than a bald one? ...

.....Can wings and feathers really sprout from an ancient desire to mate?...

.....If not, where did ancient dinosaurs get such technology?...

[Zeta Reticulum]

And coincidence of coincidences.... feathers also have some amazing properties, they enable flight, and are fantastic insulation. As all creatures have the desire to mate... why dont they all have feathers then ?

[Indiogene]

I always thought the reason why feathered dinosaurs, ancestors of our birds, exist was to fly across the top of trees and cliffs, into warmer climes during the ice ages and escape from predators who would caught their prey if it wasn't for wings. Evolution is strange but true in scientific inquiry on the slow changes experienced in many species of animals and plants for millions of years...helping a species to survive new changed environments.

[ozman]

Dinosaurs first evolved bird-like plumage for courtship displays rather than flight, new findings suggest

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2223405/Dinosaurs-evolved-bird-like-plumage-courtship-displays-flight-new-findings-suggest.html#ixzz2C7VCIGhQ