RE: Thoughts (and concerns) about Epidendro[...]saurus (and the Feduccia paper)

["Thomas R. Holtz, Jr." <tholtz@geol.umd.edu>]

> From: owner-dinosaur@usc.edu [mailto:owner-dinosaur@usc.edu]On Behalf Of
> David Marjanovic
>
> > The second is that the sclerotic ring shows no sign of being composed of
> > separate ossifications, as in typical dinosaurs.  There is no sign of
> > segmentation in the ring.  Puzzling.
>
> Not yet ossified???

Possibly, but I am not certain if (during ontogeny) the sclerotic ring
represents a single chondrification which is subsequently ossified into
segments (which you imply) OR a series of seperate cartiliginous elements
which ossify (which would again produce a segmented impression even if not
yet ossified): must go check the developmental literature.

> > I am very dubious of the nature of the "tail impression": no part of the
> > tail is preserved, only an apparent impression in (admittedly)
> the proper
> > position between the (unquestionably theropod) hindlimbs.
>
> Maybe it floated to the lake bottom tail-first, and the tail made such a
> trace?

Perhaps, but preservation of at least one caudal (even partially) would be
nice.  I would also like to see what the rest of the slab surface looks
like, since it extends off the edge of the photo.

> > And the big problem: the manus.  It is not found in articulation.
>
> But the Czerkas specimen is, and the long one is III there.

But that works if and only if these represent the same (or closely related)
taxa.  Do we know if Czerkas' specimen is a Yixian animal or a Daohugou
Formation animal?  (I know, I have to wait for the paper. :-) I have this
grave fear that the most we can be certain is that it is a Tuscon Rock Show
animal... urk!!!).

                Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
                Vertebrate Paleontologist
Department of Geology           Director, Earth, Life & Time Program
University of Maryland          College Park Scholars
                College Park, MD  20742
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/tholtz.htm
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~jmerck/eltsite
Phone:  301-405-4084    Email:  tholtz@geol.umd.edu
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