Re: Stego/Ankylo limbs

[Robert.J.Meyerson@uwrf.edu (Rob Meyerson)]

>> I'm afraid I can't agree.  Recent work on _Triceratops_ has lead to the
>>  conclusion that sprawling forelimbs actually do coincide with trackway
>>  data.
>
>     As was recently brought to light however, they do not really=20
>coincide with the anatomical data.  That business with the Torosaurus=20
>arms and elastic bands put the ribs to wide, causing the scapula,=20
>corocoids to be displaced, and forcing the arms into a sprawling posture.

Do you know of any refs that support this point (I'd like to see them).

So far, the "it's misarticulated" argument has been floating around in sever=
al
topics; this is simply too easy a way to discredit the points of the reaserc=
her,
especially since there is often little data to prove it.

Contrary to populat opinion, there is osteological evidence to suggest that =
the
sprawling forlimb is correct.  Look at the shoulder joint of _Triceratops_. =
 On
the upper humerus, there is a triangular shaped process.  This matches exact=
ly
with an identical process on the scapulacorocoid.  Since these features=
 match up, it would suggest that this is the correct placement.  We would=
 expect this deductively: if a large animal was to have a sprawling limb,=
 immense stresses would build at the shoulder joint.  Therefore, we would=
 expect to see a reinforcement of the joint (as this feature shows).  Since=
 we do see it, this is another piece of evidence to support the idea of a=
 sprawling limb.

Tag, your it!

Rob

***
"Don't panic!"