Re: Biggest Predator

[PELLUCIDAR@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-10-10 03:01:58 EDT, Gothgrrl writes, concerning
Kronosaurus:

> However, Romer (1966) gives "more than 40 feet" and THE
>  MACMILLAN ILLUSTRATED ENCYCLOPEDIA OF DINOSAURS AND PREHISTORIC ANIMALS
>  (Dixon, Cox, Savage, Gardiner 1988) gives "42 ft."

The recently published book "Ancient Marine Reptiles", edited by Jack
Callaway and Elizabeth Nicholls, contains the following quote:

*The largest Mesozoic marine reptiles include the pliosaur Kronosaurus and
the ichthyosaur Shonisaurus, which both reached lengths of around 15 meters.*

So Caitlin, your figures seem to err a bit on the side of caution, rather
than exaggerate the size of these amazing creatures.

The following reference is cited for this data: 

Carrol, R.L.  1988  "Vertebrate Paleontology And Evolution".  W.H. Freeman
and Co., New York, 698 pp.

The Callaway/Nicholls book is truly excellent BTW, and quoted above without
permission.

MITCH
~:^o