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To: SeaLion

What part of evolution would give them feathers in a warm, humid jungle-like climate?


4 posted on 09/17/2005 3:52:49 AM PDT by raybbr
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To: raybbr
Mardi Gras parties!


11 posted on 09/17/2005 3:57:06 AM PDT by Salamander (There's nothing that "MORE COWBELL!" can't fix.......)
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To: raybbr
What part of evolution would give them feathers in a warm, humid jungle-like climate?

First, not all dinosaurs lived in "humid, jungle-like climates". Earth has always had a wide range of climates, even when it was on the whole warmer or colder than it is now.

Second, ectotherms ("cold-blooded" animals, although that term is now out of favor) always have problems with regulating their temperatures. Anything that helps keep a more *steady* internal temperature is an advantage, since fluctuating temperatures cause all sorts of problems, biologically. Even in a warm climate an "adjustable insulation" like feathers would help increase heat retention when the temperature drops, and allow more heat out when the temperature rises.

14 posted on 09/17/2005 4:02:34 AM PDT by Ichneumon
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To: raybbr
Birds live in tropical jungles today. Why not dinosaurs gazillions of years ago?

Besides, we find dinosaur bones in Alaska and Atarctica.

44 posted on 09/17/2005 5:54:01 AM PDT by muawiyah (/ hey coach do I gotta' put in that "/sarcasm " thing again?)
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To: raybbr

I got your point. ;-)


49 posted on 09/17/2005 6:01:18 AM PDT by Gwaihir
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To: raybbr

think camouflage, not thermal insulation.

highly invaginated and densely layered surfaces disrupt an object's outline and eat up light far more effectively than do smooth surfaces with the same pigmentation and pattern.

I believe these folks are missing a trick when they jump straight to thermal insulation for an explanation.


70 posted on 09/17/2005 8:02:07 AM PDT by King Prout (and the Clinton Legacy continues: like Herpes, it is a gift that keeps on giving.)
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To: raybbr
Feather/fuzz: Habitat or foothold for symbiotic creatures feeding on lice, worms and other pests or even necrosis from injuries.

Also color communications giving rise to focusing on mates to create subspecies, new species.

98 posted on 09/17/2005 9:56:25 AM PDT by SevenDaysInMay (Federal judges and justices serve for periods of good behavior, not life. Article III sec. 1)
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To: raybbr
What part of evolution would give them feathers in a warm, humid jungle-like climate?

What bird living in a warm climate does not have feathers.?

143 posted on 09/17/2005 6:43:25 PM PDT by js1138 (Great is the power of steady misrepresentation.)
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