Re: Noasaurids (Re: Late Triassic Footprints with Reversed Hallux)

["T. Michael Keesey" <mightyodinn@yahoo.com>]

>   Lack of preservation doesn't mean it wasn't there, but the pes of
> *Velocisaurus* is slender enough to suggest reduction to three toes
> entirely.... All other "sickle-claw" theropods have a first toe, though,
> but this does not mean any noasaurid lacked it or possessed it. There may
> or may not always be a facet for articulation of the first metatarsal, as
> has been clear with problems of articulating a disarticulated first
> metatarsal.

Interesting ... so it's possible that there are other forms with reversed first
pedal digits, and we'd never know without an articulated specimen?
 
>   Why ceratosaur?

I was just tying to think of groups with aberrant feet. Maybe it's a
misperception, but it seems to me that theropod pedes are pretty uniform except
for noasaurids and certain coelurosaurs.
 
>   basal abelisaurs are:
> 
[...]
>   *Quilmesaurus curriei*

Wasn't this described as a theropod of uncertain affinities?

>   *Genusaurus sisteronis* is a "ceratosaur" with features similar to basal
> ableisaurs. I will be covering this on my website ... with illustrations
> :).

Cool!

=====
=====> T. Michael Keesey <keesey@bigfoot.com>
=====> The Dinosauricon <http://dinosauricon.com>
=====> BloodySteak <http://bloodysteak.com>
=====> Instant Messenger <Ric Blayze>
=====

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Sign up for SBC Yahoo! Dial - First Month Free
http://sbc.yahoo.com