Re: Shunosaurus, Tail Clubs, and Ankylosauria

["Jerry D. Harris" <102354.2222@compuserve.com>]

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Message text written by INTERNET:forelf@internet19.fr

">   I was unaware that *Tianchisaurus* had been attributed with a tail
> club.

It wasn't, at least if new specimens that I would not be aware of have been
discovered. No tail club was found.
"


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        In Dong's original description (see previous post), on p.262, he
writes:  "An incomplete, small and flat tail club (Plate 4C) is preserved. 
It is constructed of three dermal scutes, which are sculptured on their
dorsal surfaces.  A small and triangular scute is laterally flanked by two
larger dermal scutes."  This is identical in composition to more derived
ankylosaurids (although I think it may have fewer scutes incorporated into
it).  What's the tail club of _Shunosaurus_ composed of?

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                     Jerry D. Harris
                 Fossil Preparation Lab
          New Mexico Museum of Natural History
                   1801 Mountain Rd NW
               Albuquerque  NM  87104-1375
                 Phone:  (505) 899-2809
                  Fax:  (505) 841-2866
               102354.2222@compuserve.com