----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, April 16, 2002 6:36
PM
Subject: Triceratops and Torosaurus
I was reminded today about a
question I've been meaning to ask on the DML. In the book "Dinosaur
Systematics", there is a paper entitled "Triceratops: an example of flawed
systematics", by Ostrom and Wellnhofer. It mentions something that makes me
look sideways as I'm reading it: "Torosaurus may in fact represent a
separate taxon, a distinct genus, but it might also be the male form of
Triceratops." The paper really doesn't go into why this might be
the case. So, I'd just like to know how plausible that situation really
is.
It is highly implausible.
Torosaurus and Triceratops are distinguished a number of cranial
characteristics, not the least of which is an entirely different frill
configuration. Additional characters will be discussed in an upcoming paper.
Also, Triceratops specimens outnumber Torosaurus specimens by an incredible
amount. No specific figures there, but it's probably around
100:1.
Andy
__________________
Andrew A. Farke
South
Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Box P404
501 E. St. Joseph
St.
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: 605-394-2816
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