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Re: Eustreptospondylus



On Sun, 2 Jun 1996 NJPharris@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 96-05-31 23:20:47 EDT, zooamy@zoo.latrobe.edu.au
> (Adam Yates) writes:
> 
>  
> >I used to think so now I'm not so sure. [...] My best guess is that
> >a fenestra between the lateral wall of the maxilla and the maxillary
> >sinus but with the medial wall remaining closed) is an apomorphy for
> >the for the Tetanurae as a whole. It would then be secondarily lost
> >in Torvosaurus.

Don't forget that the putative Megalosaurid sister group, Afrovenator, 
also has a maxillary fenestra.

> Interesting!  Is it possible, then, that _Monolophosaurus_ and
> _Piatnitzkysaurus_, say, are true megalosaurids, considering the
> _Megalosaurus_-like premaxillary ramus of the maxilla of
> _Monolophosaurus_?

Of course it is possible, but there are carnosaur apomorphies present
in Monolophosaurus (posteriorly projecting process on the angular,
almost reaching the posterior end of the jaw and an antorbital fossa
that extends onto the nasals - to name two).However I would have to
agree that the pelvic morphology seems to primitive to belong to an
avetheropod. I don't know - what's the story Tom?

Adam Yates