Re: Fw: synapsids are reptiles

[NJPharris@aol.com]

In a message dated 4/10/02 10:22:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 
qilongia@yahoo.com writes:

>   So does the Martill and Frey, 1996 Manuraptora. It was justified, based
>  on the nature of the stem in use and its application: manus = manu- in the
>  appropriate [stem form].

As I've mentioned before, this emendation is not necessary.  A short -u- in a 
non-initial, non-final syllable would be expected to change to an -i- in 
Latin.

manu- + raptor => maniraptor,

just as

manu- + -bus => manibus

in the dative/ablative plural of _manus_ itself.

The problem with "maniraptora" is that it has a neuter ending (-a) on a 
masculine stem.  This could be fixed by emendation to "maniraptoria", but no 
one seems to care.

--Nick P.