Re: MORRISON TROODONTS

[Ronald Orenstein <ornstn@inforamp.net>]

>Before I consult Baumel et al.... time to ask the ornithologists - do 
>the rib's uncinate processes have a known function?
>
>"Now nothing can stop us in the raptorisation of Earth!"
>
>DARREN NAISH

Without looking anything up, I have always heard that they provided
stability to the rib cage, particularly during flight - but of course this
doesn't explain their presence in non-flyers.  Still, some sort of bracing
function seems at least plausible.
--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116
1825 Shady Creek Court                 
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2          mailto:ornstn@inforamp.net