RE: new

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

John Hunt wrote:

> If the preserved posture could not be achieved in life, then an explanation 
> as
> to how articulated specimens came to be preserved in this way needs to
> be forthcoming.

Apart from the fact that ... they're dead!

The hindlimb may have become dislocated after death, thus defying the 
limitations of which it was capable in life.  Don't forget, the 
_Microraptor_ fossils are preserved essentially in two dimensions and 
therefore look like they were steamrolled.  Compare this to the 
_Velociraptor_ specimen that was preserved clutching _Protoceratops_.  Here 
the theropod was preserved in a posture that we have no reason to dispute 
was adopted in life, and the animal was 'frozen' into this posture at the 
time of death courtesy of rapid burial.



Tim

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