Feathers and 'feather-like' integumentary structures in Liaoning birds and dinosaurs
Abstract
We provide an overview of the known feather and other 'feather-like' integumentary structure types known to-date in the birds and dinosaurs from the Cretaceous rocks of Liaoning, NE China. These feather-types are classified and compared with similar structures seen in Mesozoic and extant birds. We consider that integumentary feathers and 'feather-like' structures fall within two major structural categories ('shafted' and 'non-shafted'). Comments are also made on the possible aerodynamic or insulating function of leg and tail feathers in Mesozoic birds and theropods. Copyright
- Publication:
-
Geological Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 2006
- DOI:
- 10.1002/gj.1057
- Bibcode:
- 2006GeolJ..41..395F