Re: raptors, swinelizards and bearcrocs

["Thomas R. Holtz, Jr." <th81@umail.umd.edu>]

At 08:53 AM 8/21/97 +0000, Pieter Depuydt wrote:

>>  On the subject of names the useage of "raptors" for dromaeosaurs was 
>> first used by Dale Russel in AN ODDESEY IN TIME.

>'Raptor' 
>on the other hand  is an already existing, scientific name, which 
>denotes a whole different group of animals.

Incidentally, may I point out to the list that "raptor" (in the sense of
flying predatory diurnal birds) is *NOT* the scientific name for this group.
These birds are known in the taxonomic literature as the Falconiformes.

"Raptor" (used for flying predatory diurnal birds) is a vernacular term, or
at least not part of biological taxonomic nomenclature.  It IS used as a
common name for the falconiforms, and is commonly used in ecological
literature, and is used in the falconry and birding circles.  However, it is
not the formal name of the group comprised of hawks, falcons, eagles, etc.

Just wanted to clear up this misconception.

Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
Vertebrate Paleontologist     Webpage: http://www.geol.umd.edu
Dept. of Geology              Email:th81@umail.umd.edu
University of Maryland        Phone:301-405-4084
College Park, MD  20742       Fax:  301-314-9661