Re: ARCTOMETATARSALY

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

At 04:35 PM 4/14/98 EST, you wrote:
>
>> Yes, arctometatarsality *requires* that mt III is pinched between mts II and
>> IV, is reduced in thickness proximally, and consequently is less exposed on
>> the dorsal surface of the metatarsus than II or IV.
>
>The basal ornithomimosaur _Harpymimus okladnikovi_ is clearly not 
>arctometatarsalian, although mt III is slightly attenuated 
>proximally.

I suggest to all those interested in the subject read pp. 494-496 of Holtz
(1995) (JVP 14: 480-519).  It discusses the actual condition of these
fossils, rather than the state in which they are often illustrated.
(Alternatively, check the archives of the list.  This subject has been
broached more than once over the past several years!).

>As an aside, the tantalizingly-undescribed "Tonouchisaurus" - mentioned
more than 
>once on this list as an Early Cretaceous tyrannosaur - reportedly also 
>has a non-arctometatarsalian foot.

An interesting critter indeed, but (as stated) not yet described, even as to
almost any detail of the skeleton...  It quite literally remains to be seen!

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