Just as we mapped the appearance of certain skeletal features, we can map the appearance of different feather types to consider their evolution.

Here are the Theropod species that we have examined in earlier lessons.

And here we have expanded the cladogram to add some other Theropod species for which we have fossilized feathers.

Let's consider insulating feathers first.

Click on where you think insulating feathers first evolved.

Here we see which species have been shown to have contour feathers.

Where do you think contour feathers first evolved?

When did flight feathers evolve?

Click on the earliest appearance of flight feathers on the cladogram.

When did filamentous feathers first evolve?

Click on the earliest appearance of filamentous feathers on the cladogram.

Feathers have an interesting evolutionary history.

Let's pause for a quick review.

The earliest insulating feathers most likely originated here.

The earliest contour feathers most likely originated here.

The earliest flight feathers most likely originated here.

The earliest filamentous feathers most likely originated in Theropods.

Oops.

Notice that Caudipteryx had insulating feathers.

Try again.

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Notice that Caudipteryx had contour feathers.

Try again.

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Notice that we first see flight feathers in Archaeopteryx.

Try again.

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Notice that even Sinosauropteryx had filamentous feathers.

Try again.