Re: semilunate carpal

["Tim Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Dan Varner wrote:

> << The hands
> clamped onto the prey and held it tight as the jaws and feet were put to
> work to subdue the prey (suffocation with the jaws, evisceration or blood
> loss courtesy of the slashing claws). >>
>
>        I have to respectfully disagree here as the head of the 
> Velociraptor
> is clearly pulled back in the same fashion as is done in hawks and owls 
> (real
> raptors) after a strike. Watched a Cooper's Hawk do this with a Mockingbird
> yesterday. Probably protecting the eyes. DV


I would agree completely.  In this "grapple-and-slash" example, there was no 
lethal suffocative bite.  The killer blow may have been delivered by the 
raptorial pedal claw, perhaps accompanied by a quick nip to the neck (the 
strike you refer to).  The manual claws might have been used to slash the 
prey at some stage, but I don't think there was any selection to enhance the 
dexterity or mobility of the manus.


Tim



---------------------------------------------------------------------

Timothy J. Williams

USDA-ARS Researcher
Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50014

Phone: 515 294 9233
Fax:   515 294 3163



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