Re: birds and avians again

["aspidel" <aspidel@infonie.be>]

>From HP T. Mike Keesey <tmk@dinosauricon.com>

> > > What about kiwis? _Caudipteryx_?
> >
> > IMHO, with this definition, the kiwi is a bird (flightless, but a bird).
>
> But it does not meet one of the criteria (winged).

Yes it does, it has _atrophied_ wings.

> > ... And _Caudipteryx_ also!!!
>
> This definition makes a polyphyletic group, then, since it would not
> include dromaeosaurids, for example.

It's "limit": dromaeosaurs have _strongly_ wing-like arms. It's just a
question of definition on which we're refering; I'll personnally say that
dromaeosaurs are between "Aves" and many other theropod dinosaurs.
But it wouldn't hurt me if some of you say that dromaeosaurs are among
"Aves",
based on the Linnean definition.

> Well, possibly not so much polyphyletic as paraphyletic -- *extremely*
> paraphyletic.

Not so extremely IMHO; since one year I get informations about dinosaurs,
I'm convinced that BAD; we get some intermediates, not all of them; and the
basal species is still not fond.

And I think about something: which ones among the following species (or
genera!) have a semilunate carpal?
Dromaeosaurus (yes)
Caudipteryx
Passer
eagles
Archaeopteryx
Sinosauropteryx
Gallimimus
Alxasaurus
Scipionyx
Allosaurus
Coelophysis


Friendly - LJB.

ps - I reply a lot these days, but I prepare an artistic exhibition and I
think I may get some questions to answer.