Re: More Holtz on the origin of birds

[Dinogeorge@aol.com]

In a message dated 95-12-07 12:10:26 EST, Thomas_R_HOLTZ@umail.umd.edu (th81)
writes:

>Dromaeosaurids, therizinosauroids, and birds are all theropods with a
>retroverted pubis.  This is associated with the decoupling of the tail from
>locomotory use (the tail is a vital part of locomotion in most diapsids).
>
>

Probably not in segnosaurs (=therizinosauroids). As herbivores (and
prosauropod and ornithischian relatives, not theropods), they got their
opisthopubic pelvis the old-fashioned way: to make room for their gut. It's
probably why the pelvis was so splayed out anteriorly, too.