Re: The absurdity, the absurdity (was: Cooperating theropods?)

[tlford@ix.netcom.com]

On 04/06/98 01:46:45 you wrote:
>
>Larry Dunn wrote:
>> 
>
>Like what?  Climbing's been suggested, but the claw's awfully slender
>for that to be its primary purpose.  

True.

What else?  Intraspecific
>competition?  Awful bloody for that.  

True, but not totally unlikely.

And why would it be grooved for
>these purposes? 

Are you talking about the groove on both sides of the claw? Thats for blood 
vain that supply the 
kertin for the sheath. Just like the claws of cats and dogs. You don't want to 
trim the nail 
close to that blood vain.

 The alternatives seem even more tenuous than the
>hunting hypothesis to me.

I also.

>I don't see what the brain has to do with it; pack tactics can be
>practiced by such simple-minded animals as hammerhead sharks, so I don't
>think a bright therapod would have much trouble.
> 
>> But Deinonychus was not a mammal.
>
>So what?  If sharks, birds, and lizards can use pack tactics on
>rudimentary levels, I see no reason to leave dinosaurs out.
>
True

Tracy