MAJUNGASAURUS skull

["Matthew Troutman" <m_troutman@hotmail.com>]

 Hello all, I know from reading the archives that there is a big debate 
over Majungasaurus and many requests for information. I live close to 
the Field Museum and I was able to examine and photograph Majungasaurus 
as well as Vorona. Here is what I observed.
 Majungasaurus: Definitely an abelisaur by virtue of its curved 
mandible, the squasomal that lies adjacent to the tall quadrate, rugose 
nasals, lack of lacrimal foramen, fusion of the skull roof elements, 
ect.
 Majungasaurus shows the features of abelisaurs that converge on 
tyrannos : four premaxxilary teeth, rugose nasals, postorbital intruding 
into thee orbit.
 The  Majungasaurus cranium is very tall and the antorbital and 
infratemporal fenestrae take up a lot of space. The postorbital region 
is widened transversely and as a consequence the orbits face forward 
slightly. The nasals are strongly rugose, there seems to be a foramen of 
some kind at mid-length of the nasal. Strangely the lacrimals 
participate in the rugose nature of the top of the skull. A dorsally 
directed bar extending from the lacrimal nearly closes of the orbit. 
Opposite it another bar extends into the antorbital fenestra. Separate 
from the nasals and appears to be from the frontals a distinct boss 
gives the skull a dome-like appearance. The back of the skull is 
broadened as in all abelisaurs. The mandible is curved and resembles 
that of Carnotaurus.
 Overall the skull is the basic abelisaur morph with the bumpy nasals 
and sexual displays. Vorona is housed in the same exhibit as 
Majungasaurus and I was able to examine and photograph it. It seems to 
me that it is either a dromaeosaur or an animal related to dromaeosaurs. 
    I hpe this clears up some things. 
  "  I'll see you in Hell " :    Direct quote from jehovah witness 
yesterday.
     WMattTroutman  

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com