LONGISQUAMA FURCULA

[darren.naish@port.ac.uk]

George asked what the 'furcula' of _Longisquama_ could be if it isn't a 
furcula. Here's an (admittedly far fetched) idea: could it be a cloacal 
bone? Certain geckos have U-shaped cloacal bones located either side 
of their vent - the exact function of the bones (AFAIK) is unknown but 
they presumably help in hemipenial erection. I am only familiar with 
the cloacal bones of _Hoplodactylus_ (the New Zealand brown 
geckos). I don't think these bones have a glenoid-like dimple however: 
some of them do have serrated borders reminiscent of the 'feathering' 
mentioned by John Merck.

I have seen Europe's largest dinosaur and can't wait to tell Matt Wedel.

"So that's why they became extinct: they didn't get a proper breakfast!"

DARREN NAISH 
PALAEOBIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
School of Earth, Environmental & Physical Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH
Burnaby Building
Burnaby Road                           email: darren.naish@port.ac.uk
Portsmouth UK                          tel: 01703 446718
P01 3QL