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new _Scleromochlus_ ref



Hi folks,
This just in:

Benton MJ. 1999. Scleromochlus taylori and the origin of dinosaurs and pterosaurs. Phil Trans ROy Soc Lond B 354:1423-1446.

New illustrations and descriptions of the 7 specimens, and a phylogenetic analysis that places S. as a basal archosaur outside Ornithodira (i.e. not as a pterosaur or dinosaur sister taxon, but sister taxon to both). Also coins 2 new names that introduce even more confusion into archosaur taxonomy. Avesuchia = Birds + Crocodylia (i.e. same as Archosauria sensu Gauthier), and Avemetatarsalia = Scler. + Ornithodira. Benton's functional interpretation supports it as a digitigrade striding biped, but suggests saltation as well.


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John R. Hutchinson
Department of Integrative Biology Phone: (510) 643-2109
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