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Many thanks to everyone who responded to my question about
_Protoavis_ material. Now for episode two.
Back in December of 1999, HP Holtz posted the following
information to the Dinosaur Mailing List (entire message available at http://www.cmnh.org/fun/dinosaur-archive/1999Dec/msg00137.html):
<<<I do not recall anyone setting down in
print (in the technical literature)an element-by-element, taxon-by-taxon
description of the _Protoavis_ material, but opinions voiced by various authors
seem to converge on several points:
The braincase is probably theropodan; The manus is probably rauisuchian (and Sereno 1997 suggests it is a foot, not a hand); Some of the limb elements are some
non-archosaurian diapsid (can't recall what was the suggestion: prolacertiform,
maybe?).>>>
My question is, has anything changed since HP Holtz's
post? Has any of the information he posted been called into question in
the intervening time? Can anything now be added to his list?
Any new thoughts on what type of theropod the braincase
belonged to? Coelophysoid? Herrerasaurid?
And also, what WAS the suggestion for the identity of "some of
the limb elements"? WAS it prolacertiform? And which limb
elements in particular?
Thanks a lot. Peace out,
-Grant Harding
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