Re: Albertaceratops (simpson's bi-annual b*tch about dino naming)

[Michael Mortimer <mickey_mortimer111@msn.com>]

Jaime A. Headden wrote-

>   While the name in Ryan's doctoral thesis does provide a provoking, 
> thoughtful
> name is allusion to the hideous and bizarre appearance of the horns, and of 
> the
> snaky brow and frill horns, there is a justice to naming it for the 
> Province
> instead:
>
>   There have been many times, and I mean MANY times, where names 
> originally
> coined in a thesis or passed by word of mouth has been extolled over the
> internet, which can and does influence the viability of that name to be
> published. Thus, I think there is a slight justice in changing the name 
> after
> the thesis name had been spread around.

I don't see how this could have caused a name change.  The only way to 
change the viability of a nomen nudum is to publish it officially.  And if 
someone who was aware of the name "Medusaceratops" had published it prior to 
publication of Ryan's paper, the specimen would be named Medusaceratops 
whether Ryan renamed it Albertaceratops or not.  Albertaceratops Ryan, 2007 
would just be an objective junior synonym of Medusaceratops somejerk, 2006.  
Maybe Ryan didn't want to name it something people already knew, but I 
hardly see the point to that.  To vaguely spite those people who thought 
they were privy to the final name before it was published?  What kind of 
justice is that?  That'll show those uppity thesis readers... uh.. yeah...

Mickey Mortimer