Re: Rapator,the giant alvarezsaur

["Tim Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Eric Martichuski wrote:

> Probably because claws are easier to adapt than bones.  They don't have any 
> surrounding musculature or circulatory system, you're really just tinkering 
> with a cuticle.  They're more cost effective too in terms of material 
> (keratin vs. bone, blood, etc.).  So if claws can be adapted to the given 
> task more quickly, they ought to reach optimum function before selection 
> really starts working on bone et, al.

I don't think lack of muscles was a big problem for alvarezsaurids, given 
their possession of a keeled sternum and the whopping olecranon process on 
the ulna (which gives _Mononykus olecranus_ its species name).  
Alvarezsaurid forelimbs were certainly equipped with some pretty heavy-duty 
musculature, so whatever they were doing with that claw they weren't kidding 
around.



Tim Williams(on)

> If you need "sharp points two feet away from the body" does it really 
> matter how they get there?
>
> ;-)
>
> Sound plausible?
>
> Eric
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