Reinterpretation of purported molting evidence in the Thermopolis Archaeopteryx

摘要

a Bidirectional sequence, a sequential molt strategy starting with the molt of a mid-primary and progressing inward and outward. This strategy is rare among modern birds but typical of parrots and falcons, for example, the Pesquet’s Parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus; Credit: L. Petersson, ML205975001, The Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology). b Irregular, non-sequential molt, as occurs among flightless birds, for example, the Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi; Credit: L. Martin). This individual demonstrates the possibility of two single molting feathers (probably P5 and P7, P6 is old) when non-sequential molt occurs.