RE: Ichnotaxa (was RE: dino tracks near Syracuse?)

["R. Irmis" <rbi@dana.ucc.nau.edu>]

<<So you name them based entirely on an interpretation. That's about as
bad as the name being translated as "track of XXX" when subsequent
research demonstrates that is about the least likely candidate
trackmaker.>>

OH NO!  Im not suggesting that at all.  My understanding is that even
Seilacher kept the binomial, which was based on morphology.  its just the
suprageneric taxonomy that is based on behavior.  I was just asking (not
stating) whether this would be benificial at all to footpints (IE how do
footprints change with environment).

<<If you're going to name ANYTHING you want to do so based on your
OBSERVATIONS rather than your INTERPRETATIONS.>>

Totally agree.

<<Just remember, invert and vert traces are very different
conceptually. Inverts are incredibly diverse and have *converged* on
particular types of actions and body plans. So individuals of
different PHYLA can produce identical-looking traces. Not so with
verts!>>

I realize this...didnt mean to give you the wrong impression, sorry!

Regards,
Randall Irmis