Re: Protoavis (was Re: solnhofen)

["Rob Gay" <rob_redwing@hotmail.com>]

> Rob, if you know of such a paper, let me know!  :-)  If it's not 
> published... well, you know...the skull and neck of _Protoavis_ *may* 
> belong to a drepanosaurid (=megalancosaurid).<
We'll leave this alone for now.

> Again, you appear to have some inside information.<
Mostly my own observations and based on the photos and drawings of the 
specimens, and conversations with others. Nothing really "inside", per se.

> L. = Lower.  These might be nonavian theropod tracks.  Unless the 
> bird/theropod dropped dead on the spot after making the tracks, and was 
> preserved along with them, then it may be very difficult to draw the line 
> between bird and bird-like theropod solely (no pun intended) on the basis 
> of footprints.<
This is actually second-hand info to me. Someone here (at NAU) mentioned 
this to me, and said that the person who told him about it (presentation at 
SVP?) said that they were basically a dead ringer for bird tracks. I dunno 
though...it is very circumstantial, you're right.

> Thanks for a very interesting post!<
Any time! Always stirring up trouble in the Triassic...
Peace,
Rob

Student of Geology
Northern Arizona University
P.O. Box 20840
Flagstaff, Az. 86011
AIM: TarryAGoat
"A _Coelophysis_ with feathers?"

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