Re: Protoavis

[Tom Holtz <tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov>]

>There were many responses giving examples of names that did not reflect what
>is now known about the species named.  I wonder why no one pointed to the
>recent finding about oviraptor?

Maybe because we all hashed that out the last two weeks... ;-)

> Is there still some doubt about its presence
>near
>the eggs?

No serious doubts - there have been several cases on association between
adult Oviraptor specimens and the "Protoceratops"-morphology egg, including
a brooding specimen found by the Sino-Canadian expedition.  More
importantly, the embryo clinches it - I have seen the specimen and can
vouch that it is definitely an oviraptorid.

                                
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.                                   
tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov
Vertebrate Paleontologist in Exile                  Phone:      703-648-5280
U.S. Geological Survey                                FAX:      703-648-5420
Branch of Paleontology & Stratigraphy
MS 970 National Center
Reston, VA  22092
U.S.A.