Validity of Alioramus

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

Somebody sent me this reply off-list.  I'll throw it open to the DML (but 
keep the identity of the person private) because I wondered if there had 
been some change regarding the status of _Alioramus_...

> Critics should see Carr JVP 9/99, and Currie (The Age of Dinosaurs in 
> Russia  and >Mongolia). Alioramus  has the skull proportions of a juvenile, 
> as Currie noted, >which wouldn't be surprising in view of abundant  
> subadult T.bataar  material in >Nemegtian beds. Nasal bumps may be 
> sufficient for specific diagnosis, but we >should keep an open mind 
> regarding genus until complete, indisputably adult >remains are known.


_Alioramus_ an immature _Tarbosaurus bataar_?  I'm willing to believe that 
_Shanshanosaurus_ might be a young _Tarbosaurus_, but _Alioramus_ looks as 
good as gold to me.  Can anyone set my mind at ease?


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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