Re: The deep-tailed swimmer emerges from the lake... in which it fell (not completely a joke)

[Silvio Renesto <renesto@mailserver.unimi.it>]

At 14.33 25/07/01 -0400, you wrote:
>
>Based on the proportions of the tail, Colbert & Olsen interpret this critter
>as a swimmer. 

I had already read the PDF copy of this fine paper at Paul Olsen site and I
am REALLY HAPPY to see it finally published !!!
However .... I would be also happy to read/share comments and  opinions
(also offlist if you feel it is not a topic of general interest) on the
above statement about life habits.

With all due respect, IMHO the aquatic life style seems to be contradicted
by MOST other skeletal features: limb structure and proportions, girdles
configuration, very slender bones and much more else. 
Mine is obviously a subjective opinion and I do not want to bother  anyone
(if not asked for) with a detailed discussion but it seems to me that  the
overall morphology of Hypuronector is quite different from that of other
similar sized swimming tetrapods 

 The do not see any sign of great mobility at the base of the
>tail that would allow it to be raised up, so they do not consider it a
>likely tree-climber.

 If the caudal vertebrae share the morphology of other drepanosaurids the
tail had to be rigid with respect to lateral movements  (no
undulation/sculling). Judging from the drawings and photos, the proximal
caudals looks similar to those of other drepanosaurids, but having not seen
the specimens I cannot say anything on this. 

                                                Silvio Renesto


-

"Before being enlightened,   hard work; after enlightenment, hard work"
(Guo Yunshen).

Dr. Silvio Renesto
Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra
Università degli Studi di Milano
via Mangiagalli 34
I 20133 Milano
Italy

phone +39-0223698232
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e-mail:    renesto@mailserver.unimi.it
or/and     Silvio.Renesto@unimi.it
Have a look at our Late Triassic site at:
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