Re: New issue of JVP 2001(2)

["Tim Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

> Two new oviraptorids (Theropoda: Oviraptorosauria), Upper
> Cretaceous Djadokhta Formation, Ukhaa Tolgod, Mongolia.
> JAMES M. CLARK, MARK A. NORELL, and RINCHEN BARSBOLD,
> pages 209?213.


The two new oviraptorids are _Citipati osmolskae_ and _Khaan mckennae_.  The
generic names are derived from local languages and traditions: "Citipati"
means "lord of the funeral pyre" in Tantric Buddhist tradition, and "Khaan"
is Mongolian for "lord".  _Khaan_ is on par with _Minmi_ as the shortest
non-avian dinosaur genus name.  The derivations of the trivial names: Dr
Halska Osmolska and Dr Malcolm McKenna.

Each is known from a wonderful skeleton, near-complete (IGM 100/978) and
complete (IGM 100/1127), respectively, and referred specimens.  The skulls
will simply make your jaws drop.

The two new species brings the tally of oviraptorid species to six.
_Oviraptor mongoliensis_ is retained in the genus _Oviraptor_.  The _Khaan_
material was hitherto referred to _Ingenia_, which it differs from in the
structure of the manus.

Clark et al. (2001) do not seem to favor uniting therizinosauroids and
oviraptoroids as Oviraptorosauria.  This will be explored in the
soon-to-be-released (hopefully) YPM volume honoring Prof. John Ostrom.


Tim

------------------------------------------------------------

Timothy J. Williams

USDA/ARS Researcher
Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50014

Phone: 515 294 9233
Fax:   515 294 3163

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