|
Hi everyone on the
DML!
First, let me introduce myself, I'm Rutger
Jansma from the Netherlands and new on this list. At least for 2 days now and my
main interests go to the Spinosaurids and Therizinosaurids, also I'm working on
a website but that is still very much work in progress.
What is was wondering: why does
Segnosaurus have 5 metatarsels when one of the earlier genera, Beipiaosaurus,
has only 4? Metatarsal 4 is rudimentary compared to other Therizinosaurs, but he
hasn't lost it yet, so that the later genera have this bone still. If you look
at the original drawing by Perle (1979) of Segnosaurus galbinensis it contains
the 4 metatarsals present in Beipiaosaurus, but a rudimentary fifth one!
Beipiaosaurus is from the early Cretaceous and Segnosaurus from the late
Cretaceous, although Segnosaurus is in morphology more primitive than B.
Could Segnosaurus be a "living
fossil" at his time and possibly being a direct descendant of a
pre-Cretaceous ancestor?
Thanks in advance for anyone that can help
me!
Rutger Jansma
|