[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index][Subject Index][Author Index]

Re: 2 questions: "horizon" in anatomy, and the absurd Nyctosaurus



On 11/23/13, Hammer <hammeris1@att.net> wrote:
> When you all are looking at a mounted dino skeleton,
> what do you mean by "horizon"?  aka, Kronosaurus as
> it has been assembled at the Queensland Museum is
> reported to be wrong, and from a "different horizon."

Here it likely means a different geological stratum than implied by
the exhibit label. That difference may either relate to age and/or
location (or both) of said layer of rock.

> Secondly - Nyctosaurus's skull.
> Come on! It just can't be!
> I know, I know, the fossils don't lie.
> Has it been decided how this illogically out-of-proportion "deer antler"
> sticking out the back of the head functioned?  Sail or not?  Feathery
> or not?  Tapejara is within the realm of reality - but this animal
> looks completely wild to me!

I'd say start here, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyctosaurus , and
then ply http://scholar.google.com/ . I'd say it's noteworthy that
it's a rather small animal for one's usual impression of a pterosaur.
If male whydahs, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vidua_macroura , manage
I don't see why a pterosaur wouldn't.

-- 
Renato Santos
http://dracontes.deviantart.com