RE: "Carnosaurs"

["Thomas R. Holtz, Jr." <tholtz@geol.umd.edu>]

> From: owner-dinosaur@usc.edu [mailto:owner-dinosaur@usc.edu]On Behalf Of
> Dino Rampage
>
> Just seeking some opinions here...
>
> What phylogenetic position of the following basal tetanurans?
> Which of them
> can be classed as Torvosaurids? Spinosauroids? Carnosauria? Or just plain
> basal Tetanurae?
>
> 1) Cryolophosaurus

Who the heck knows?!?  There is substantial damage to the skull, which makes
part of it hard to determine.  Have not yet seen the postcranium.

> 2) Monolophosaurus

In most studies, a basal carnosaur.

> 3) Eustreptospondylus

In my most recent analyses, a megalosaurid.  Basal to Avetheropoda in any
case.

> 4) Afrovenator

In my most recent analyses, a megalosaurid.  Pretty darn close to
"Poekilopleuron" valesdunensis.

> 5) Piatnitzkysaurus

In my most recent analyses, a megalosaurid.  Basal to Avetheropoda in any
case.

> 6) Sinraptor/ Yangchuanosaurus

Primitive carnosaurs.

> 7) Metriacanthosaurus
> 8) Valdoraptor

Have not yet included these guys in formal analyses.  Appear to be basal
tetanurines, and arguably carnosaurs.

> any information regarding their similarities/ differences to
> other much more
> well-known taxa (eg. Giganotosaurus, Allosaurus,
> Acrocanthosaurus) would be
> much appreciated.

Wait for the papers (or find the papers already published on them, and read
them!  The DML is NOT a substitute for doing research!!)

                Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.
                Vertebrate Paleontologist
Department of Geology           Director, Earth, Life & Time Program
University of Maryland          College Park Scholars
                College Park, MD  20742
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/tholtz.htm
http://www.geol.umd.edu/~jmerck/eltsite
Phone:  301-405-4084    Email:  tholtz@geol.umd.edu
Fax (Geol):  301-314-9661       Fax (CPS-ELT): 301-405-0796