Re: Warm-Blooded debate

[Dinogeorge@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-06-23 22:44:48 EDT, NJPharris writes:

<< Perhaps, but one might as well theorize that endothermy is also necessary
for erect, long-legged tetrapods, as there are no erect, long-legged
tetrapods that we *know* to have been ectothermic, while there are thousands
of species of erect, long-limbed endotherms wandering around! >>

There's a much better cause-and-effect relationship between erect stance and
possession of a four-chambered heart than there is between erect stance and
endothermy. I've already explained the former connection several times on
this list, but >nobody< has yet explained the latter connection except to
state that, gee, by coincidence, all modern erect, long-limbed animals happen
to be endotherms, so there >must< be a connection, yadda yadda. Just because
there is an association doesn't mean there is a connection--or at least a
>direct< connection. It also happens that all modern erect, long-limbed
animals happen to have four-chambered hearts, but I don't claim >merely on
that basis< that a four-chambered heart is necessary for an erect tetrapod
stance. Just on that basis, I could equally well assert that having an erect
stance is necessary for both endothermy and having a four-chambered heart!