re:dino mimicry

[mspeters@nbnet.nb.ca (mike peters)]

>
>2) I guess one way to try and do 1) above for the mimicry possibility
>would be to do extensive and detailed modelling of the excursion limits
>of the anky's tails to see what movements really are possible there.
>Thulborn says they are limited and could not be effective defensive weapons
>which I guess means they could not be swung widely from side to side.
>If true, what other defensive strategies would work with it?

The anatomy of the Anky's tail would seem to prevent it from raising it to a 
significant angle above the horizontal as there are interlocking dorsal
processes 
connecting the individual caudal vertebrae in a very rigid looking manner
and there are no 
attachment sites for the muscles that would be needed to hold the tail
semi-erect.
I agree that it would be a very ineffectual weapon against any significant
predator.

Does anyone think that the club could be used for intra-specific threat 
displays/territorial signalling etc, by thunping it on the ground?
 There are bird species that use wing-beating
for this purpose I think.