Re: Nyctosaurus pectoral girdle

[David Peters <davidrpeters@earthlink.net>]

Actually I have a cast of UNSM 93000 hanging in my study. I received it after
spending a weekend in Lincoln studying it.

And I've seen the Sternberg specimen during a Kansas trip.

When did you get the idea that I haven't seen the specimens?     :  )

You can shout all you want, but wouldn't it be more useful to send a line
drawing or jpeg with callouts explaining your views?

Sometimes I get it right. And I'm always happy to back down from an argument
once shown the errors of my ways.

By the way, steak dinner _delivered _ for the first deep wing membrane
pterosaur specimen is an offer that is still standing.

David Peters
St. Louis



Chris Bennett wrote:

> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David Peters" <davidrpeters@earthlink.net>
> To: <dinosaur@usc.edu>
> Sent: Monday, August 18, 2003 1:01 AM
> Subject: re: Nyctosaurus pectoral girdle
>
> >
> > In Nyctosaurus the proximal scapulae touch the neural spines. I don't
> > think we know enough about pterosaur soft tissue to determine what sort
> > of synovial sac might have developed in that area, if any. In my opinion
> > it might have been similar to the sliding joint between sternum and
> > coracoid in lepidosaurs. Certainly the bone in Nyctosaurus would not be
> > allowed to rub on bone without an intervening agent.
> >
>
> Dear Dinolisters,
>
> Here is another example where David Peters, who has not seen the pertinent
> specimens [they've been on loan to me!], is flatly contradicting a direct
> statement by someone who has studied the pertinent specimens.  I will
> clearly state for a third time that the scapulae of Nyctosaurus did not
> articulate with its notarium, and will then drop the matter:
>
> 1.  The scapulae of Nyctosaurus DO NOT "touch the neural spines."
> 2.  I think I know enough about the soft tissue in the area to determine
> that NO JOINT was present and to suggest was present instead.
>
> 'Nuf said.
>
> Please excuse my shouting.
>
> Chris
>
> S. Christopher Bennett, Ph.D.
> Assistant Professor of Basic Sciences
> College of Chiropractic
> University of Bridgeport
> Bridgeport, CT  06601