Re: Status of _Utahraptor_?

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

> > I've recently overheard that the status of
> > _Utahraptor_ may be in doubt.  Is that true?  If so,
> > why?  FWIW, this is not just a matter of curiosity for
> > me.  If there's any doubt as to the validity of the
> > genus, please reply!

This comes from the description of _Bambiraptor_ by Burnham et al. (2000).  
They suggest that, since the material of _Utahraptor_ was found scattered 
and disarticulated, the bones may belong to more than one species; "We see 
little reason to believe that these bones come from a single species, let 
alone a dromaeosaurid." (p.7)  The same authors also throw doubt on the 
validity of _Achillobator_, for much the same reason.

I would stress that this is the opinion of Burnham et al., not my own.


Tim

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

Dr 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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