Re: Palms in

[Ronald Orenstein <ornstn@home.com>]

>  In Allosaurus, however, the semilunate is poorly developed, and would 
> not be difficult to free up.  Yet there is little additional movement 
> imparted, since the ulna and radius can't move along their long 
> axis'.  So the reduction of mobility still must be what is being selected for.

I can rather diffidently suggest that this supports my view that the lack 
of pronation could be an advantage if the arms are used as tongs - it would 
be harder for a wriggling prey to twist out of the animal's grasp if the 
arm is fairly rigid at the wrist.  It need have nothing to do with flight, 
for example.

--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116
1825 Shady Creek Court
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2          mailto:ornstn@home.com