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StephanPickering@cs.com wrote-
Dilophosaurus's two species, moreover, may be sexually
dimorphic representatives, crested females to attract males (in this case, males
being the crestless forms known as Liliensternus) -- speculation, to be
sure, but more viable than the heterosexist filters one encounters (e.g., the
gaudily frilled ceratopsians are often described as "male" to entice females;
this is nonsense: ceratopsians were female-dominated). The point is: theropods
were logically matrilineal, and "horns", "crests", etc. visual signals for
smaller, drab males.
Uhhh.... sure.
The idea theropods, ceratopsians and such were logically matrilineal
seems presently unprovable at best. However, an easier argument to
partake in is the suggested synonymy of Dilophosaurus and Liliensternus.
First of all, it is unknown if Liliensternus possessed crests. Secondly,
Liliensternus liliensterni lived in the Norian of Germany, while Dilophosaurus
is known from the Hettangian of Arizona. Granted, Liliensternus airelensis
was found in probable Hettangian sediments, but it was also in France.
Yes, continental positions were different in the Mesozoic, but it's a bit too
convenient the only three Liliensternus specimens were found in Europe and the
only known (three plus?) Dilophosaurus specimens were found in
America. Most importantly however, Liliensternus has numerous
morphological differences from Dilophosaurus, many of which place it closer to
coelophysids. Such an extreme case of sexual dimorphism, with the added
stratigraphic and phylogenetic problems, is completely
implausible.
Mickey
Mortimer
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