Re: pachycephalosaurs

[Tetanurae@aol.com]

herewiss13@hotmail.com wrote:
<<Second, the pachy's skull isn't a spongy, honeycomb.  It's thick, solid and 
notably dense.  The brain is insulated within it like a football player's 
head in his helment.>>

Not exactly, the degree of sponginess or solidness seems to vary 
ontogenetically.

<<Coupling the thick, _solid_ skull with the animal's ability to lock some of 
its neck and spinal vertebrae together in a straight line.  This turns the 
pachy into a biological battering ram, protected from whiplash, wrenching 
and concussions.>>

If you have access to illustrations of actual pachycephalosaur cervical 
vertebrae I think most of this list would like to see them.  As far as I know, 
no 
pachycephalosaur necks have ever been illustrated in a publication, eventhough 
they are often illustrated as being able to lock into a straight line.  This 
is entirely speculative however.

Pete Buchholz
tetanurae@aol.com