RE: Ceratopsian Systematics [was: Avaceratops and Ceratops (was Re:THE NEW I...

["Allan Edels" <edels@email.msn.com>]

Just a brief aside to JRW's earlier remarks:

"   Assuming _Avaceratops_ is a "basal" ceratopsid at all, which is at
this point supported by a *single* study. Others are less certain that it is
even a valid genus. One point upon which I am very concerned is the coding
of characters from a juvenile specimen. While I think there may be some
value to the practice, one must bear in mind...."

        Having seen _Avaceratops_ many, many times over the last 15+ years (and
knowing Peter Dodson) - I do know that the classification of _Avaceratops_
as a juvenile should more probably be refined as a sub-adult.  Based on the
occipital condyle being nearly completed fused, this indicates that the
animal was nearly fully mature, and as such its features are more likely to
be very close to those of the adult form.  Its size is probably 80% of
full-grown.

(Sherry, Josh*, Thom, etc.  -  Can you back me up here?)  :-)


        Allan Edels

(* of course, he's probably already gone collecting in Egypt...)