Re: Antarctosaurus

[AM Yates <Adam.Yates@bristol.ac.uk>]

On Mon, 14 Feb 2000, Ray Stanford wrote:

> Tim Williams asked,
> 
>     "But can anyone tell me what a 'supra-scapula' is?"
> 
>     Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but that seemingly refers to the
> coracoid, which, named in combination with the scapula is the
> scapulocoracoid.  Supra- means ABOVE (above the scapula in this case), so it
> must be another term for the coracoid. Thus, if one is measuring the
> scapulocoracoid, then one is measuring the combination of the scapula and
> the "supra-scapula" (coracoid, which juxtaposes the proximal end of the
> scapula).
> 

Your translation is correct but the suprascapular is not the coracoid
(which is below the scapula). The suprascapular is an extension of the
distal blade. It is usually cartilaginous. As far as I'm aware it rarely
if ever ossifies (but I suppose it could calcify which would lead to
its being preserved) I don't know if it is even present in Archosaurs, I
have observed it in Lizards and Frogs but not much else.

cheers

Adam Yates