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Re: oviraptorosaurs (sensu lato)
Ken Kinman (kinman@hotmail.com) wrote:
<I will code it as such:
8A Therizinosauridae
8B Caudipteridae
_a_ Oviraptoridae (incl. Caenagnathines)
I personally find splitting off caenagnathines (hope I spelled
this correctly) as a separate family unnecessary and a little
distracting (but you can split it into two small families if you
wish).>
I would essentially agree with the idea that it might be more
simpler to render the taxon Caenagnathoidea to a single clade in
traditional trees instead of naming this group.... You'd be the
first to suggest a caenagnathine terminology.
< 3 Enigmosaurus
> Erlikosaurus (not sure how to
> Nanshiungosaurus code these genera)
> Segnosaurus
> Therizinosaurus>
Based as they are on a few taxa with little overlapping parts,
the relationships are a little screwy without complete material.
Nonetheless, there are distinct individuals, but without
comparative distribution, that's as close as anyone's going to
get for now.
< 8B Caudipteridae
1 Microvenator
2 Caudipteryx
? {{Oviraptoridae}} "sedis mutabilis"
3 Nomingia>
I'd hesitate to place *Nomingia* anywhere without more
material; the tibia is reminiscent of both *Ingenia* and
*Chirostenotes*, and the pelvis is plesiomorphic to
Oviraptorosauria sensu stricto (inclusive of Caudipteridae).
< _a_ Oviraptoridae
1 Caenagnathasia
2A Chirostenotes
2B Elmisaurus
3 Oviraptor
4 Ingenia>
I would change the latter two to 3A-B respectively. Suggestion
is that *Ingenia* could be intermediate in morphology between
caenagnaths and oviraptors....
<In any case, it is in such cases of cladistic uncertainty that
I believe paraphyly to be useful (but rendered
"semi-holophyletic" by adding the exgroup marker).>
For now, I couldn't agree or dissagree. Too much work needs to
be done. There are projects on oviraptorosaur phylogeny and taxa
that should clarify at least the internal format of the
Oviraptoridae. I have my own opinions, too :) .
=====
Jaime A. Headden
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhr-gen-ti-na
Where the Wind Comes Sweeping Down the Pampas!!!!
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