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Re: Jeholornis prima discussion



>  Tyrannosaurids lack the following maniraptoriform synapomorphies-
> [...]
> 2. round orbit
> [...]

Won't invalidate the rest of the list, but this character is obviously
size-related -- eyes grow more slowly than the rest of the body, so the
orbits had to become keyhole-shaped in big theropods.

> (so the fact
> dromaeosaurids lack several of these is not mentioned because it would be
a
> reversal in any reasonable phylogeny)

Do *Archaeopteryx* and *Rahonavis* lack the same ones?