Re: Diplodocoidea vs. Diplodocimorpha

[Mike Taylor <mike@indexdata.com>]

> Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 14:19:58 -0700
> From: "Mickey Mortimer" <Mickey_Mortimer111@msn.com>
> 
> > Hunt et al. stated that similar cranial features
> > shared by diplodocids and dicraeosaurids may suggest
> > that these two groups together make up a monophyletic
> > "superfamily" Diplodocoidea.
> >
> > So I think that's the reference for that name:
> >
> > Hunt, A. P., M. G. Lockley, S. G. Lucas and
> > C. A. Meyer.  1994.  The global sauropod fossil
> > record.  Gaia 10:261-279.
> 
> I noticed that too, which is odd because Wilson (2002) and others
> use Upchurch (1995) as the reference for Diplodocoidea.  I can check
> Hunt et al.  at the library sometime to see if they use the term.

You've got me really interested now!  I have both Wilson 2002 and
Upchurch 1995 in front of me now, and re-skimming the former doesn't
turn up a mention of "Diplodocoidea Upchurch 1995".  What page is it
on?

Section 5 (l) of Upchurch 1995 (page 380) is on Sauropod Evolutionary
Relationships (Diplodocoidea).  It begins: "The Diplodocoidea is a new
superfamily which contains the Diplodocidae, Dicraeosauridae and the
new family, Nemegtosauridae."  No formal phylogenetic definiton is
given, but I guess this could be taken as a three-element node.

But even if Wilson 2002 and buddies cite Upchurch's definition, the
particular one I am looking for, {Diplodocidae + Dicraeosauridae},
seems to be from Hunt et al.  I'll be happier when I've seen what that
paper actually says, but I have a copy in the post so I won't need you
to do my research for me :-)  Thanks for offering, though!

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/o ) \/  Mike Taylor  <mike@indexdata.com>  http://www.miketaylor.org.uk
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