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Re: LONGISQUAMA FURCULA


Darren,
Interesting idea, even if it is a long shot. I don't know anything about the variability of post-cloacal bone morphology, but it would be quite a coincidence if Longisquama had "furcula-like" post-cloacal bones that became "dislocated" (is that the word I want?), and just happened to come to rest near where a furcula would be found. Possible, but not probable. But it would be really exciting if that's what it turned out to be.
Are post-cloacal bones ever fused, particularly in prolacertiforms? And are they often found "dislocated" from their normal position? The fact that the posterior half of Longisquama is missing certainly makes this a tantalizing possibility, however improbable it may be.
-----Cheers, Ken Kinman
P.S. I would think that these are questions Dave Peters could most likely address.
******************************************************* 
From: darren.naish@port.ac.uk
Reply-To: darren.naish@port.ac.uk
To: dinosaur@usc.edu
Subject: LONGISQUAMA FURCULA
Date: Fri, 21 Jul 2000 10:30:44 +0100

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

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