Re: new boook on functional morphology

[Stan Friesen <swf@ElSegundoCA.ATTGIS.COM>]

From: crpntr@ix.netcom.com (Kenneth Carpenter )
 > If the Torosaurus were mounted so that the ribcage was narrow 
 > at the front and widen posteriorly (as in all living vertebrates), and 
 > placing the scapula so that the first rib bissected it at the mid 
 > point, the coracoids would be much, much closer (almost touching) and 
 > the elbows would be brought in. See the Chasmosaurus mounted at the 
 > Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia.

And, since this reconstruction matches the trackways, we can consider
the matter as settled as it gets.

With the shoulder joint underneath, the elbows pointed *backwards*,
and slightly bent, the manus just naturally ends up in the position
seen in the trackways (with digit II more or less parallel to the
forward direction).  This is certainly alot more parsimonious than
other possibilities.

swf@elsegundoca.attgis.com              sarima@netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.