Re: Giant raptor claw found

[Dinogeorge <Dinogeorge@aol.com>]

In a message dated 97-12-06 03:04:42 EST, se1aard@itis.com writes:

<< If this animal is from South America isn't it likely that it was a
 Noasaurine, and not a "Raptor" in actuality?  It seems likely that
 convergent evolution would only have taken place if there wasn't already a
 different, adapted "norm" species present.  Or is the concept of the
 sickle-clawed Megalosaur now outdated?
  >>

The photo in National Geographic shows a large claw with a decently well-
developed flexor tubercle, as in dromaeosaurids. In _Noasaurus_, the flexor
tubercle doesn't exist as such. Instead there is a ventral depression for
tendon attachment to work the claw. So "Megaraptor" more closely resembles
dromaeosaurids than noasaurids, but whether or not this is taxonomically
significant must await further research.