Here's a question for you all. What is the
correct way to refer to a member of the Enantiornithes? I see most
authors use enantiornithine, but Mike Keesey points out that this creates
confusion if one were to be discussing a member of the Enantiornithinae (if it
ever exists, it's officially implied by the existance of an
Enantiornithidae). He suggests using enantiornithean. The same
situation arises for the Tetanurae, Ornithurae, Neornithes and
Avialae. I see tetanuran, ornithurine, neornithine and avialan most
commonly used, but which is proper? Anyone have any opinions and reasons
why one form should be used over the other?
The "traditional" vernacular versions would be "tetanurine", "ornithurine",
"neornithine" and "avialian". However, "tetanuran" does get used a lot,
too. However, I don't recall seeing ornithological literature old or new
that use "ornithurean" or "ornithuran".
Thomas R. Holtz,
Jr.
Vertebrate
Paleontologist
Department of Geology
Director, Earth, Life & Time
Program
University of Maryland
College Park
Scholars
College Park, MD
20742
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/tholtz.htm
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~jmerck/eltsite
Phone:
301-405-4084 Email: tholtz@geol.umd.edu
Fax
(Geol): 301-314-9661 Fax (CPS-ELT):
301-405-0796