Selective Factors Associated with the Origin of Fur and Feathers1

@inproceedings{Ruben2000SelectiveFA,
  title={Selective Factors Associated with the Origin of Fur and Feathers1},
  author={John A. Ruben and Terry D. Jones},
  year={2000}
}
Abstract Conventional wisdom notwithstanding, fur and feathers are unlikely to have arisen in direct association with elevated metabolic rates in early mammals, birds, or their ancestors. A complete insulative fur coat probably appeared first in the earliest mammals long after mammalian ancestors (therapsids) had attained mammalian, or near-mammalian, metabolic rates. The evolution of feathers was unlinked to the evolution of modern avian metabolic rates since early, fully flighted birds (i.e… 

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