Re: SUCHOMIMUS = BARYONYX

[Dinogeorge@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/31/02 1:33:49 AM EST, qilongia@yahoo.com writes:

<< So, what is the difference between a genus and a species? It works both
 ways. As Tom Holtz has pointed out, there really is no meter, no special
 character that if it shows up makes a taxon _sooo_ unique it gets to be a
 genus on its pretty lonesome. >>

To me, two dinosaurs belong in different genera if the average dinosaur 
paleontologist can tell them apart at a glance (assuming they're at the same 
ontological stage and are of the same sex), without resorting to making 
detailed measurements or detailed examinations of skeletal anatomy. 
Contrapositively, if they cannot be told apart at a glance, they very likely 
belong to the same genus; and detailed anatomical examinations and 
measurements (e.g., multivariate analysis) may turn up consistent differences 
in the hypodigm of the genus that indicate the existence of distinct species 
within the genus.