RE: semilunate carpal

["Chris Fisher" <killerraptor20@hotmail.com>]

> Oh, yes, of course.  I thought that was a given here.
>
> However, if the hands were permanently pointed outwards there would be no
> reason for the predatory arc, because they would be in position already 
> (and
> save some time).  However, this would have the drawback of having big
> grasping hands permanently sticking out, and possibly getting in the way in
> non-predatory situations.


Again tahnkyou for your insights.

But did the semilunate carpal *increase* or *reduce* the mobility of the 
wrist?? I thought *reduced* - the semilunate carpal allowed the hand to 
swing automatically inward in the same lunging motion that brought the 
forelimbs forward and downward ("predatory stroke"). So, when the hands 
contacted the prey they were already in position (ie. facing 
medially=inward), and the theropod did not need to think about it. Like the 
wingstroke of birds (which evolved from it).

Thanks for your help.



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