RE: Quadraped Sailbacks-All non-dinos?

[jshields@iol.ie (James Shields)]

>Taxonomic diagnoses should include what a taxonomic group IS rather than 
>what it is NOT!

Here is a definition taken from "The Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs" by David
Lambert, but acredited to Michael Benton:

Dinosauria: Fully open acetabulum, low fourth trochanter, prominent cnemial
crest, and marked ascending process on astragalus.

I anyone can explain what this means, I'd be much obliged! The book does
explain the features of a dinosaur in more general terms, but gives no
details on this particular definition.

Hope this means something to somebody ;-)


James Shields/jshields@iol.ie
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And when the ark was finished Noah said unto Elvis, "What do you reckin?"
And Elvis checked out his own cabin and shook his head saying "poky".
And so did they knock several walls through and install a jaccuzzi.
And when it was all done Noah scratched his beard and said, "We don't have
room for all the animals now."
And Elvis perused the livestock list and in his wisdom said, "Lose the
dinosaurs."
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