Re: "Largest" dinosaurs...

["Tim Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Mickey Mortimer wrote:

> Megaraptor Novas 1998
> M. namunhuaiquii Novas 1998
> Holotype- (MCF-PVPH 79) ulna (332 mm), phalanx I-1 (188 mm), distal
> metatarsal III (~453 mm), pedal ungual II (310 mm)

Further material is known for _Megaraptor_, including nice forelimb 
material.  It reveals that the "pedal ungual II" in the type material 
actually belongs to the first digit of the hand.  The new material also 
nixes any idea that _Megaraptor_ might be a dromaeosaurid.  I think it was 
Mickey who first mentioned the reference on this list:

Calvo, J.O., Porfiri, J., Veralli, C. and Novas, F. (2002).  _Megaraptor 
namunhuaiquii_ (Novas, 1998), a new light about its phylogenetic 
relationships.  Primer Congreso latinoamericano de Paleontología de
Vertebrados. Santiago de Chile, October 2002. p.20.

> > Wasn't Ultrasaurus based on a single leg?

You may be thinking of _Ultrasaurus tabriensis_, which was based on an 
alleged ulna (actually, a partial humerus).  The dimensions of this sauropod 
were overstated due to misinterpretation of the material.

> No, most of that leg was hypothetical.  It was based on a dorsal vertebra
> (belonging to Supersaurus) and a referred scapulocoracoid (belonging to
> Brachiosaurus).

Yes, and thus _Ultrasaurus macintoshi_ is a junior synonym of _Supersaurus 
vivianae_.    (I heard a rumor recently that there is a move to sink _S. 
vivianae_ into the genus _Barosaurus_ - is this true?)

> (Tuscon Rock show) partial jaw (skull ~2500 mm)

2.5m!!   Yikes!!!



Tim

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