According to an interview I heard on NPR January 22 there are a couple
of reasons why preliminary skepticism might be in order regarding the
fossil discovery of this amazing creature. The first item cited by the
expert interviewed said that nobody outside China has seen the actual
fossil, but only photographs instead. Second, the condition of the
fossil seems too good to be true: it is a single piece, and the normal
condition of fossils is that they are found in small pieces and have to
be assembled -- this one looks too good to be true. Third, the expert
says the creature's physiology seems all wrong. He finds the back legs
particularly problematic, neither helping the creature walk nor showing
any adaptation for perching. He also said that there is a long history
of hoaxes in this field, most recently just a couple of years ago from a
find in the same area. So we may have to wait for a time until other
experts can examine the fossil and find it authentic -- or otherwise.

Paul Webster
Seattle
paul.webster at attbi.com