Comments on: Two new paleo-herps illustrate the problems of a persistent reptile myth. http://reptilis.net/2009/02/04/two-new-paleo-herp-illustrate-the-problems-of-a-persistent-reptile-myth/ The rants and ravings of the webmaster Sat, 24 Jul 2010 06:59:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Jura http://reptilis.net/2009/02/04/two-new-paleo-herp-illustrate-the-problems-of-a-persistent-reptile-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-1845 Jura Mon, 09 Feb 2009 16:16:55 +0000 http://reptilis.net/?p=190#comment-1845 Yeah, I've been looking into that particular analysis. For those interested, the paper in question is: Makarieva, A.M., Gorshikov, V.G., Li, B-L. 2005. Gigantism, Temperature and Metabolic Rate in Terrestrial Poikilotherms. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. Vol. 272: 2325-2328. The paper provides the formula used to determine the correlation, so it really should just be a matter of "plug and play" to test. I just need a bit more free time to do so. All I've noticed so far is that Makarieva et al focus heavily on arthropods for the study. There are a few squamates listed in their tables, but none are used as evidence for their results. Anyway, there should be more later. Yeah, I’ve been looking into that particular analysis. For those interested, the paper in question is: Makarieva, A.M., Gorshikov, V.G., Li, B-L. 2005. Gigantism, Temperature and Metabolic Rate in Terrestrial Poikilotherms. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. Vol. 272: 2325-2328.

The paper provides the formula used to determine the correlation, so it really should just be a matter of “plug and play” to test. I just need a bit more free time to do so. All I’ve noticed so far is that Makarieva et al focus heavily on arthropods for the study. There are a few squamates listed in their tables, but none are used as evidence for their results.

Anyway, there should be more later.

]]> By: 220mya http://reptilis.net/2009/02/04/two-new-paleo-herp-illustrate-the-problems-of-a-persistent-reptile-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-1844 220mya Mon, 09 Feb 2009 03:03:18 +0000 http://reptilis.net/?p=190#comment-1844 To be fair, the Head et al. paper uses the idea that maximum herp body size correlates with climate, which is slightly different from what you mention. It is based on an existing published regression, btw. (not that I'm necessarily defending that regression...) To be fair, the Head et al. paper uses the idea that maximum herp body size correlates with climate, which is slightly different from what you mention. It is based on an existing published regression, btw. (not that I’m necessarily defending that regression…)

]]> By: Christopher Taylor http://reptilis.net/2009/02/04/two-new-paleo-herp-illustrate-the-problems-of-a-persistent-reptile-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-1842 Christopher Taylor Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:38:27 +0000 http://reptilis.net/?p=190#comment-1842 I've been corrected by Jason Head himself - the vertebra in the press release photo <i>is</i> a green anaconda. I’ve been corrected by Jason Head himself – the vertebra in the press release photo is a green anaconda.

]]> By: Nick Gardner http://reptilis.net/2009/02/04/two-new-paleo-herp-illustrate-the-problems-of-a-persistent-reptile-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-1841 Nick Gardner Thu, 05 Feb 2009 08:53:58 +0000 http://reptilis.net/?p=190#comment-1841 It's <i>Jason</i> Head, not <i>John</i> Head. For osteological correlates of a marine lifestyle, I haven't read the paper either... but consider: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v392/n6677/abs/392705a0.html http://www.springerlink.com/content/v40q45w7m1423001/ http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/002411600750053835 It’s Jason Head, not John Head.

For osteological correlates of a marine lifestyle, I haven’t read the paper either… but consider:
http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v392/n6677/abs/392705a0.html
http://www.springerlink.com/content/v40q45w7m1423001/
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/002411600750053835

]]> By: Christopher Taylor http://reptilis.net/2009/02/04/two-new-paleo-herp-illustrate-the-problems-of-a-persistent-reptile-myth/comment-page-1/#comment-1840 Christopher Taylor Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:36:47 +0000 http://reptilis.net/?p=190#comment-1840 Another myth that's not yet persistent, but is rapidly threatening to be - every site that I've seen the photo of the two vertebrae together so far has identified the smaller vertebra as <i>Eunectes murinus</i>. The original paper identifies it as <i>Boa constrictor</i>. Another myth that’s not yet persistent, but is rapidly threatening to be – every site that I’ve seen the photo of the two vertebrae together so far has identified the smaller vertebra as Eunectes murinus. The original paper identifies it as Boa constrictor.

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