re:FAQ on dino definition

[Stan Friesen <swf@ElSegundoCA.NCR.COM>]

 From: "Paleontology Columbus College, Georgia" 
<@lepomis.psych.upenn.edu,@uga.cc.uga.edu:Schwimm@uscn.bitnet>
 > To Thomas Holtz et al:
 >    Your diagnostic definition of Dinosauria is fine except that it
 > excludes Segnosaurs and a few other oddballs, since these are not
 > clearly derivatives or near relatives of Iguanodon or Megalosaurus
 > or any sauropodomorph.  I find it rather difficult to list valid 
 > autapomorphies uniquely discriminating  Dinosauria from Archosauria

A recent issue of Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences provided some
very good evidence that the Segnosaurs are derived from Theropod
ancestry, probably from a Maniraptoran ancestor.  [The evidence
consists of the discovery and description of an intermediate genus].

I think the synapomorphies that Dr. Holtz lists are adequate
for the FAQ, at least once they are annotated into a form that
beginners are likely to be able to understand.

swf@elsegundoca.ncr.com         sarima@netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.