Re: Polacanthid party time

[Bill Adlam <bill.adlam@st-peters.oxford.ac.uk>]

On Sun, 14 May 1995, Mickey Rowe wrote:

> ...is a color sketch of Neil's conception of a pair of Polacanthids
> caught in the act leading to conception.  The pair appears to be
> comprised of two consenting adults, so I don't think we're breaking
> any laws by transporting the image around, but if you're a minor, seek
> the guidance of your parents before downloading the image :-)

Thanks very much for the picture, Neil.  The overall position must be 
right:  big animals like that couldn't possibly manage the creative 
postures of e.g. slugs and damselflies.  The male presumably has his left
hind leg just behind the last spine on the female's left side (but I'm a 
bit worried about that red mark - I hope he hasn't impaled himself).

This leaves him short of safe places for his left foreleg.  In the picture
it's hanging down by the female's shoulder.  The right foreleg is not 
visible, I can think of two possible positions for it.  Either it is bent 
between them, with the right foot supporting the weight of the front half 
of the male on the female's back, or it is tucked caudo-laterally out of 
the way.  I think the former is more likely.

After some consideration, I think the male has to hold his legs further 
apart.  As it is he's too unstable.  If the female (let alone the Earth) 
moves much he could roll off to either side, disemboweling himself in the 
process.  Alternatively, he could rest his left forefoot on her back.
Apart from that, I agree with Neil completely.

Can someone recommend an up-to-date Kentrosaurus restoration?  Those spines
on the thighs are beginning to worry me, but they must have managed...

                                                                Bill Adlam