Re: "Skeletons in the Sand" PBS show

[Tom Holtz <tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov>]

>Well, considering that Spinosaurus is the most complete of the
>known Cretaceous African theropods, and it is not very complete,
>they really do know very little about them.

Afrovenator is more complete than Spinosaurus was - Spinosaurus is a LOT
less complete now :-(.

However, if Spinosaurus skeletons had made it past the 1940s, it had the
potential to be really well described.  The illustrations in Stromer's
monographs show that there was a lot of material to it, and the text
discusses more bones.

If Baharija ever opens up again for paleontological work, maybe someone can
pull out a newer specimen.

                                
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.                                   
tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov
Vertebrate Paleontologist in Exile                  Phone:      703-648-5280
U.S. Geological Survey                                FAX:      703-648-5420
Branch of Paleontology & Stratigraphy
MS 970 National Center
Reston, VA  22092
U.S.A.