Re: New alvarezsaurid

["John V Jackson" <jjackson@interalpha.co.uk>]

-----Original Message----From: Matthew Troutman Date: 29 March 1998 09:26


> Paedomorphic changes are always seen with the loss of flight . <

. . . except in certain flightless maniraptorans  . . .

 . . . when their  non-paedomorphic-ness is taken as circular evidence of
never having flown.

 Paedomrphism is one way of evolving flightlessness, and a good way if small
wings and a small beak suits you.  However if big toothy snouts and strong
real arms are needed, some other mutation would be preferable.

Where is it *written* that paedomorphic changes are always seen with the
loss of flight ?



John V Jackson    jjackson@interalpha.co.uk