Pterosaurs were flying reptiles and, although they are sometimes described as flying dinosaurs, they were not classified as true dinosaurs. Until recently, evolutionary scientists suggested that pterosaurs had feathers,1 interpreting the fibrous structures found on their wings as early feather-like formations, commonly referred to as protofeathers.
The supposed dinosaur-to-bird transition
Evolutionary theory suggests that birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, which would imply that some species within this group had feathers. However, there is no conclusive evidence to support a direct transition from dinosaurs to birds. Birds have a fundamentally different respiratory system from reptiles, their feathers do not resemble reptilian scales in structure, and dinosaurs were likely cold-blooded, whereas birds are warm-blooded.2 Moreover, several other anatomical differences pose significant challenges to this proposed evolutionary link.
Feathers or no feathers?
Despite this, secular palaeontologists maintain that fossil evidence indicates the presence of feathers in some dinosaurs. However, other researchers argue that in some cases, bird feathers have been mistakenly attributed to dinosaurs. In other instances, structures identified as protofeathers are actually degraded collagen fibres found in dinosaur skin,3 a view supported by evolutionary palaeo-ornithologist Alan Feduccia. Similar fibres have also been observed in the remains of non-theropod dinosaurs, ichthyosaurs, and even decomposing dolphin and shark carcasses.3
Two palaeobiologists, David Unwin and David Martill, recently investigated the claim that pterosaurs had ‘feathers’.4 Their research highlighted a crucial point. The supposed evidence for feathers in dinosaurs is based on the observation of branching structures in the fibres of their wings. However, Unwin and Martill found that this pattern can also result from the natural decay and unraveling of skin fibres. This interpretation is particularly convincing given the rarity of branched fibres. Among approximately 30 well-preserved pterosaur specimens, where straight fibres are commonly observed, branched fibres were identified in only three cases. These fossilised branched fibres are therefore more likely remnants of decayed skin rather than evidence of feathers. Since pterosaur fibres resemble those found in dinosaurs, both are best understood as decomposed skin rather than true protofeathers. Consequently, the claim that pterosaurs possessed feathers remains unverified.
Furthermore, the discovery of preserved collagen fibres represents yet another instance of original soft tissue found in dinosaur fossils. This raises serious questions about their supposed age, as laboratory studies have shown that such biomaterials cannot endure for even a million years, let alone hundreds of millions.
Conclusion
The implications are clear. Since both dinosaurs and pterosaurs lacked feathers, the evolutionary argument for their transition into birds becomes increasingly difficult to sustain.
By the way, we recommend reading the articles:
- Exploring Theories of a Godless Universe (Part One)
- Exploring Theories of a Godless Universe (Part Two)
- Exploring Theories of a Godless Universe (Part Three)
- The Quipu: Knotted Strings That Testify to Ancient Intelligence
- More Than One Genetic Code?
Footnotes
- Yang, Z., Benton, M.J., Jiang, B. and Xu, S., 2018. Pterosaur integumentary structures with complex feather-like branching. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 3, pp.24-30.
- Clarey, T., 2015. Dinosaurs: Marvels of God’s Design. Green Forest, AR: Master Books, pp.121-124.
- Tay, J., 2019. Feathered pterosaurs: ruffling the feathers of dinosaur evolution. Journal of Creation, 33(2), pp.93-98.
- Unwin, D.M. and Martill, D.M., 2020. No protofeathers on pterosaurs. Nature Ecology & Evolution. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-01308-9.
Compiled from: J. Hebert, Pterosaurs didn’t have feathers, Acts&Facts, Institute for Creation Research, January 2021, p. 13.
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