Re: ARCTOMETATARSALY

["Jaime Headden" <jaemei@hotmail.com>]

<The enantiornithine arrangement is seen in Arhcaeopteryx, where the 
metatarsals are fused proximally. This arrangement does not seem to be 
seen in "Rahona", where the metatarsals are unfused. What effect this 
has on character polarity in Aves is problematic, because it can easily 
be a convergence or a synapomorphy with the Enantiornithes and 
Confuciusornis.>

Unless *Rahona* (not Mothra) was a subadult or juvenile and/or the 
unfused metatarsals are a ontogenetic feature (or derived state if it's 
adult).

Jaime A. Headden

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com