Becklespinax, Valdoraptor, Ultrasauros

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

>I wonder what the status of some of George Olshevsky's genera name
>creations are?
>
>Here are some of the ones I have listed:
>
>Becklespinax altispinax = Acrocanthosaurus altispinax Paul, 1988

Becklespinax is almost certainly a valid, distinct, seperate taxon.  This
clears up problems caused by von Huene in the 1920s, when he assigned the
generic name "Altispinax" (obviously based on the characteristic spines of
the type specimen of Becklespinax) to the tooth species "Megalosaurus
dunkeri".  Since M. dunkeri is almost certainly indeterminate, so is
Altispinax.  However, the tall neural spines of the type of Becklespinax
are clearly diagnostic, so I don't think Becklespinax will cause many
problems.

>Valdoraptor oweni = Megalosaurus oweni Lydekker, 1889

Another kettle of fish entirely.  Based on a metatarsus, "M." oweni is
certainly a mid-sized, primitive tetanurine theropod.  From what I've seen
of the material, there are no good characteristics to seperate it from
other mid-sized, primitive tetanurines.  Sure, we need better theropod
material from the Wealden, but not this badly!

[Incidentally, a potential fairly complete skeleton of a mid-sized,
primitive tetanurine theropod HAS been found from the Wealden.  From what
I've seen, it seems to be an allosauroid (allosaurid or sinraptorid).
Whether this can be referred to "Valdoraptor" remains to be seen - if not,
"Valdovenator" is not a bad name...]

>Ultrasauros macintoshi = Ultrasaurus macintoshi Jensen, 1985
>     This one I have seen used many times so I assume it is official.

Because of the taxonomic confusion over the Korean species of
"Ultrasaurus", the "Ultrasauros" name is needed.

>Are these still "proposed", "official", or "discarded".
If the "Parainfraclass Archosauria" publication meets the requirements,
they may be considered valid.

                                
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.