Lepidosaur cuteness factor?

[David Peters <davidrpeters@earthlink.net>]

which side of the fence is that coffin nailed down?

Two of the examples have adults with orbits longer than rostra. In the
third rough proportions do not significantly change. Sure the adults
have horns, dorsal frills, etc. Shapes square off abit. Again, it's the
degree. Even in Pterodaustro the rostrum lengthens proportionately
during ontogeny.

David Peters
St. Louis


Well here are a few Lepidosaur juvenile to adult
comparisons to firmly put the last nail in the coffin
of that statement. In all three examples the ontogenic
carachters common to all vertebrates are clearly
visible.

Shinisaurus crocodilurus(Adult):
http://www.digimorph.org/specimens/Shinisaurus_crocodilurus/adult/

Shinisaurus crocodilurus(Juvenile):
http://www.digimorph.org/specimens/Shinisaurus_crocodilurus/juvenile/

Phrynosoma taurus (Adult):
http://www.digimorph.org/specimens/Phrynosoma_taurus/head/

Phrynosoma taurus (Juvenile):
http://www.digimorph.org/specimens/Phrynosoma_taurus/embryo/

Heloderma suspectum (Adult):
http://www.digimorph.org/specimens/Heloderma_suspectum/adult/

Heloderma suspectum (Juvenile):
http://www.digimorph.org/specimens/Heloderma_suspectum/juvenile/head/

Cheers,
Christopher