|
Hello.
Gregory S. Paul suggested that Deinoncyhus and its
relatives, such as Ornithomimids and Oviraptorids, might have descended from
flying, early birds. I would like to hear some counter-arguments for this
hypothesis, if there are any. Obviously there are, since not all paleontologists
have taken this view. I know that cladistic analysis places the animals the way
it places them, but on the other hand, some people say it might be due to
reversals.
I hope this doesn't escalate into a war between
cladists and their foe. I would just like to hear some counter-arguments for
Paul's suggestion.
I know there has been some discussion on the topic
on this very list, but I think the counter-arguments have mainly been that
living birds become flightless by means of neotheny, and Dromaeosaurs have too
long arms to have lost their flight that way. And I think it can be safely
assumed that the early birds could have become flightless by other
means.
Best wishes,
Henri Rönkkö
|