From: "Thomas R. Holtz, Jr." <tholtz@geol.umd.edu>
Reply-To: tholtz@geol.umd.edu
To: <Apollo@Mlink.net>, "Dinosaur Mailing List" <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Subject: RE: Anatomically correct T. rex?
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 08:06:40 -0400
> From: owner-dinosaur@usc.edu [mailto:owner-dinosaur@usc.edu]On Behalf Of
> JAMES ARONIS
>
> With the recent spate of posts concerning anatomically correct
> theropods, specifically Tyrannosaurs, I was wondering if a striking
> restoration I have recently come across at CNN's site is anatomically
> correct. The restoration in question is of a _T. rex_ and can be viewed
> (head only) on this page:
>
> http://edition.cnn.com/2003/TECH/science/08/01/offbeat.trex.dinosa
ur.reut/index.html
>My curiosity mainly lies in the accuracy of the restoration's rather
>large orbital 'horns', its dentition the longest of which appear longer
>than I imagined and the somewhat high position of the nasal openings. I
>won't inquire about the 'lips' factor since that already occupies space
>in another thread, but anyone can comment on that if they wish. With
>what we currently know of _T. rex_, how accurate is this restoration?
In my opinion, the postorbital bosses are too large and too laterally
directed. Also, the fleshy nostril is too large and too posteriorly placed,
in light of Witmer et al.'s studies.
On the other hand (head?), it is far better than I could hope to do...
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