Bristles before down: a new perspective on the functional origin of feathers

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
Walter S Persons, Philip J Currie

Abstract

Over the course of the last two decades, the understanding of the early evolution of feathers in nonavian dinosaurs has been revolutionized. It is now recognized that early feathers had a simple form comparable in general structure to the hairs of mammals. Insight into the prevalence of simple feathers throughout the dinosaur family tree has gradually arisen in tandem with the growing evidence for endothermic dinosaur metabolisms. This has led to the generally accepted opinion that the early feather coats of dinosaurs functioned as thermo insulation. However, thermo insulation is often erroneously stated to be a likely functional explanation for the origin of feathers. The problem with this explanation is that, like mammalian hair, simple feathers could serve as insulation only when present in sufficiently high concentrations. The theory therefore necessitates the origination of feathers en masse. We advocate for a novel origin theory of feathers as bristles. Bristles are facial feathers common among modern birds that function like mammalian tactile whiskers, and are frequently simple and hair-like in form. Bristles serve their role in low concentrations, and therefore offer a feasible first stage in feather evolution.

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Citations

Jan 11, 2017·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Graeme D RuxtonPhilip J Currie
Nov 28, 2017·Molecular Biology and Evolution·Ping WuCheng-Ming Chuong
Sep 1, 2018·Genome Biology and Evolution·Chen Siang Ng, Wen-Hsiung Li
Jul 31, 2019·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·W Scott Persons, Philip J Currie
May 8, 2016·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Barry G Lovegrove
Jun 13, 2017·Experimental Dermatology·Danielle DhouaillyOlav Oftedal
Dec 21, 2018·Nature Ecology & Evolution·Zixiao YangMichael J Benton
Dec 21, 2018·Nature Ecology & Evolution·Liliana D'Alba
Nov 30, 2018·PloS One·Suzanne Amador KaneRoslyn Dakin
Nov 18, 2020·Current Biology : CB·Daniel T Ksepka

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