Re: Stego/Ankylo limbs (really ceratopsian limbs)

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

>The only skeletal reconsructions allowable are those that fit the
>known trackways, since actual evidence of behavior is more direct,
>and more conclusive, than *inferences* of behavior from skeletons.

Ultimately, one does not just take a track and from that make assertions on how
the animal moved.  One has to go back to the actual skeleton and see if it fits
the data.  The point I tried to make from the trackway analysis I mentioned, is
that sprawling forelimbs don't necessarily fail to match the tracks.  I'm not
saying that this closes the book on anything, I am saying that sprawling
forelimbs must be considered a possible alternative, since it is possible that
even a sprawling mount matches trackway data.

Besides, how can we reliably match a track with a skeleton since the likelyhood
of the two belonging together is almost impossible.  Let's face it, inferences
are made all the time in our field.  People take trackways made by known small
theropods to deduce the lifestyle of _T. rex_.

>Now, as I said before, the trackways are, just barely, consistant
>with a *bowlegged* stance - *if* the wrist is rotated sharply outward
>in the normal stance. (However with backwarding flexing elbows the
>manus naturally fall in the position observed in the trackways, so
>this seems more likely to me).

Certianly another plausible idea.

Rob

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"Don't panic!"