Re: CROCODYLOMORPH ENDOTHERMY

["Nicholas J. Pharris" <pharrinj@PLU.edu>]

On Fri, 26 Jan 1996 Dinogeorge@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 96-01-25 21:50:53 EST, pharrinj@PLU.edu (Nicholas J.
> Pharris) writes:
> 
> >Exactly my point at the outset of this thread!  (and I'm not the first to 
> >suggest it, either)
> 
> I'd say that's a real stretch. Something that would require more to convince
> me than simple phyletic arguments. 

I'm not talking phyletic arguments here.  I could easily say that 
warm-bloodedness started with the Ornithosuchia and therefore would not 
necessarily have anything at all to do with the Crurotarsi.

> How about bone histology of early crocs
> (sphenosuchians, etc.)? Any citable research there?

You haven't been paying attention, have you, George?  Histological 
research is EXACTLY what I was asking for when this thread got started.  
If the long-legged, early crocs (sphenosuchians, _Protosuchus_, etc.) show 
fibro-lamellar bone, I will be more than happy to let this lie.

But should they show plexiform bone... 

And according to Bakker, at least (back in the 80's, before he started 
getting really wacko), the earliest thecodontians do indeed show 
plexiform bone and low P/P ratios!

Nick Pharris
Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, WA 98447
(206)535-8204
PharriNJ@PLU.edu

"If you can't convince them, confuse them." -- Harry S. Truman