The dorsal appendages of the Triassic reptile Longisquama insignis: reconsideration of a controversial integument type
The dorsal appendages of the Triassic reptile Longisquama insignis: reconsideration of a controversial integument type
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DOI：
10.1007/s12542-012-0135-3
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发表时间：
2012-03
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
M. Buchwitz;S. Voigt
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
M. Buchwitz;S. Voigt
Elongated skin projections of the reptileLongisquama insignisfrom the Triassic of Kyrgyzstan are preserved as imprints on the only skeletal specimen and on seven additional pairs of fossil slabs and counter-slabs from the same locality and horizon. The integumentary structures became a matter of debate when they were assessed as “non-avian feathers” homologous to avian feathers. Conflicting interpretations of their morphology and relationship to other appendage types arose from the ambiguity of the fossil skin impressions. On the basis of comparative description of the individual morphology of all yet knownLongisquamaspecimens we address aspects of taphonomy, development, and function and define to what extentLongisquama’s appendages share characteristics of avian vaned feathers. We explain the existing feather similarity by their development from a filamentous primordium and a complex sequence of individual processes, some of which are reminiscent of processes observed in feather development. Such an interpretation is in agreement with a set of homologous mechanisms of appendage morphogenesis in an archosauromorph clade includingLongisquamaand feather-bearing archosaurs but does not necessarily require that the appendages ofLongisquamathemselves are feathers or high-level feather homologues.
