ALBERTOSAUR 'HORNS'

["D.W.Naish" <dwn194@soton.ac.uk>]

> Which brings up a question I've been meaning to ask for a while(although 
> I realize this is drifting into a semi-hated thread, I promise not to 
> stay too long). I've noticed in various representations of tyrannosaurids
> a disparity in the length or overall size of these lacrimal horns. 
> Just how large were these and how much are they overrrepresented in 
> current illos and models?                                       (Steve)

If anything, albertosaur lacrimal horns have long been ignored in restorations.
It is evident that, in life, they really did exist as a rostral-pointing, sharp-
tipped horn that, as evident in Paulian and other restorations, are quite
apparent. Notably, Vladimir Krb's diorama does have noticeable horns, but prior
to this tyrannosaurs are generally given flat, straight areas above the eye. In
life, such bone structures could be enlarged by keratin by as much as two or
three times, but renditions that realise such possibilities generally appear to
go over the top.

A recent tendency (started by Mark Hallett I reckon) has been to give
_Tyrannosaurus_ big, triangular preorbital horns too, but tyrannosaurs appear
to have more of a blunt, rounded boss here than a horn.

Of course, this all has a phylogenetic perspective, as George will tell you.

"To die would be the best adventure of all"
"Death is the only adventure you have left"

DARREN NAISH