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Re: tibiofibular crests



Best discussion of this is in Chiappe 1996 (Munchner Geowissenschaftliche Abhandlungen Reihe A 30; specifically on pp. 233-234). The TFC is a synapomorphy for Ornithothoraces at least, but presence in recently discovered basal birds suggests that it is more primitive (although Archaeopteryx lacks it, as do more basal Maniraptora). It's an interesting character whose functional implications are poorly understood but may turn out to be very interesting (evolution of knee flexion, etc.). Ectocondylar tuber "does not separate the lateral condyle into two surfaces for the articulation of the tibia and fibula," unlike the TFC.

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Date: Sun, 13 Feb 2000 01:00:57 -0800
From: "Mickey Mortimer" <mickey_mortimer@email.msn.com>
To: <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Subject: tibiofibular crests
Message-ID: <099844501090d20CPIMSSMTPU08@email.msn.com>

While I was adding to my character list for my upcoming coelurosaur
analysis, I came across the synapomorphy of a tibiofibular crest.  I noticed
this is homologous to the ectocondylar tuber.  Can anyone tell me when an
ectocondylar tuber becomes a tibiofibular crest?  What is the characteristic
that distinguishes them?  Thanks in advance.
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John R. Hutchinson
Department of Integrative Biology               Phone:  (510) 643-2109
3060 Valley Life Sciences Bldg.                 Fax:    (510) 642-1822
University of California
Berkeley, CA 94720-3140
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/people/jrh/homepage.html