Re: Scipionyx gut

["John R. Hutchinson" <jrhutch@socrates.berkeley.edu>]

>> vertebral column, and ends just above the ischiadic foot.  The gut
>> is surprisingly short and deep in section, suggesting a high
>> absorbtion rate.
>
>High absorption rates? Surely this has something to say about
>metabolism?

Actually, this is nonsense. A short gut implies (by analogy with living
animals) an easily digestible diet (e.g. meat). Carnivores in general tend
to have shorter, less complex guts compared to herbivores. A short and deep
gut is not direct or indirect evidence of absorbtion rates or metabolism.
Wow, a carnivorous theropod... fascinating. :-)

                       --John R. Hutchinson