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My Vertebrata PalAsiatica V. 38, n. 4 just came in. There are a few
articles in it about dinosaurs. The first has some significance due to some of the
recent topics. Zhou, X, Wang X., Zhang F., and Xu X., 2000. Important features of
Caudipteryx- evidence from two nearly complete new specimens. 243-265. These specimens are not the new species C. dongi. They are nearly complete,
nicely preserved specimens. I haven’t read it over yet. There is this one quote
though…On the other hand, it must be pointed out that cladistic result is based
on the assumption of the principle of parsimony which is, however,
philosophically untestable. Therefore, although with the discoveries of more
unexpected bird-like characters in Caudipteryx we still believe it is a
feathered dinosaur because of its overwhelming similarity to dinosaurs it must
be admitted that we have no compelling evidence to exclude it from being a
flightless bird; in other words, theoretically there is no single dinosaurian
character in Caudipteryx that could not have been reversed from its presumable
avian ancestor… The other paper is of a new small Ornithischian. Xu, X., Wang X and You
H., A primitive ornithopod from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of
Liaoning. It comes from Lujiatun (new locality to me), Shangyuan, Beipiao City,
Liaoning Province, China. Jeholosaurus shangyuanensis. A nearly complete skull, dorsally flattened
and a referred specimen that is laterally compressed and a few skeletal
elements. For not its Ornithischia incertae sedis and they say a longer paper
is forth coming. So, just 2 more to 900. And one interesting not dinosaurian paper. LI, C., Placodont (Reptilia: Placodontia) from the Upper Triassic of
Guizhou, Southwest China. A very nice nearly complete specimen that is lying on
it’s stomach. Sinocyamodus xipuensis. Tracy |