Re: Thou Shalt Not Climb!

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Jaime Headden wrote:

>   I think a good deal of dinosaurs were capable of climbing, at least in 
> the 50
> kg range or so and less, but some seem better suited for sticking in there 
> a
> while, including having a flexible knee. The pubis being reversed allows 
> the
> leg to curl tighter and the animal to crouch down lower, as it reduces the
> depth of the trunk.

In order to get from the propubic to the opisthopubic condition, the pubic 
shaft had to swing through the "no-man's-land" of mesopuby.  Many bird-like 
maniraptorans and some basal birds have a mesopubic pelvis, such as 
_Archaeopteryx_, unenlagiines (including _Rahonavis_), scansoriopterygids, 
and jeholornithids.  A mesopubic pelvis would seem to be the worst possible 
configuration for a climber, given that the pubic shaft is directed 
vertically (or subvertically).

Cheers

Tim

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