Re: "raptor" names (was Re: Giant raptor claw found)

[Dinogeorge <Dinogeorge@aol.com>]

In a message dated 97-12-05 08:12:41 EST, th81@umail.umd.edu writes:

<< Of course, "-lestes" is a Greek
 equivalent to "-raptor" ("klepto-" is another), and had been used in a
 couple of turn-of-the-century dinosaur names (_Sarcolestes_ Lydekker 1893,
 _Ornitholestes_ Osborn 1903). >>

"-lestes" is rather underused for dinosaurs; the only two other dinosaur names
with this root are _Saurornitholestes_ and _Trialestes_ (formerly
_Triassolestes_, preoccupied by a dragonfly name, I believe)--and _Trialestes_
is now considered to be a primitive croc rather than a dino.