Re: Scaphognathus crassirostris

["Jaime A. Headden" <qilongia@yahoo.com>]

Dan Bensen wrote:

<What does the "crassirostris" in "Scaphognathus crassirostris"
mean?>

  Others have suggested "thick beak;" _crassi-_ > _crassus_
(Lat.) thick, gross, stupid, as if referring to a moron or the
incredible depth between space and once brain through the skull,
the thickness is implied. Also refers to something robust or
built up, from a former implied slender morphology or state, as
in *Monoclonius crassus* or in reflection of tyrannosaurine
teeth (esp., *Tyrannosaurus rex*). This is especially telling in
*Scaphognathus,* the jaw of which is much deeper and robust, in
contrast to _every_ species and skull of *Rhamphorhynchus*, to
which the species was originally identified. More robust than
*Dorygnathus,* anyway.

=====
Jaime A. Headden

  Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhr-gen-ti-na
  Where the Wind Comes Sweeping Down the Pampas!!!!

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