Re: FEATHERS FOR T-REX?

["Ken Kinman" <kinman@hotmail.com>]

    I think they should say coelurosaurs were "protofeathered".  They might 
have been more featherlike than psittacosaurid tail bristles, but until we 
know a whole lot more about these structures, I would not attach the name 
"feather" to any non-maniraptors.
    The proponderance of the evidence does indicate that all small 
coelurosaurs (including baby tyrannosaurs) probably had a protofeathered 
covering.  And just as adult elephants are sparsely covered with hairs, it 
is not unlikely that adult Tyrannosaurs probably retained something 
comparable (especially tufts on the head and/or tail).  Known tyrannosaur 
skin impressions are consistent with this view.
         My two cents,
             Cheers,    Ken
*******************************************
Michael Lovejoy wrote:
> A quote from Walking on Eggs: "...coelurosaurs were feathered; even the 
> colossal Tyrannosaurus must have had a feathered body at some early stage 
> of its life. However, scientists do not believe that adult tyrannosaurs 
> were feathered because the combination of this insulating covering and 
> their large size might have posed a disadvantage in regulating the animal's 
> body temperature."
>
> OK, can anyone tell me what this belief is based on? Is there sound 
> scientific evidence for it, or is it conjecture?
>
> Thanks to anyone who can help!
>
> Michael Lovejoy



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