Re: when is a Lazarus Taxon not a Lazarus Taxon? (joke)

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Tom Holtz wrote:

> There is also the Zombie Effect (when a fossil is reworked and redeposited 
> in younger sediment).

Like _Titanis_...?

http://dml.cmnh.org/2006Oct/msg00474.html
http://dml.cmnh.org/2006Oct/msg00495.html

The Zombie Effect explains why _Titanis_ always kept its forelimbs extended.

> From Chandler (1994): "The almost vertical carpal trochlea of the 
carpometacarpus of _Titanis_ shows that the manus was held extended... and 
could not be folded under the ulna as in other birds."

Outstretched arms are undoubtedly an adaptation to zombie-like behavior.  
Also a useful aid to scooping out brains.

Cheers

Tim

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