RE: Tyrannosaurus Rex: Evolution Of Change.

[Danvarner@aol.com]

Dr. Holtz writes:

<< Incidentally, this and other observations (of the proportions in front of
and behind the hips) led people as early as the 1950s (for example, W.
Gregory's Evolution Emerging, in 1951) to restore T. rex and other dinosaurs
as non-tail draggers. >>

       Just a few points to note:
       1) The first "correct" Tyrannosaurus pose, a Christman drawing of the 
vertebral column appeared in 1916 (it's also reproduced in _Evolution 
Emerging_.
       2) Knight's Tyrannosaurus figure in the field Museum mural with 
Triceratops isn't THAT bad, I would argue. There are a few problems, but a 
skeleton 
would fit reasonably well in it. I believe the 1916 figure was used as 
reference. The animal in the distance has stopped and is rearing up, using the 
tail 
as a prop. The main figure's tail is off the ground.
       3) The Knight Tyrannosaurus painting at the AMNH is NOT draggng its 
tail. Also, it's eye was not placed in the wrong skull opening as legend has 
it. 
It's based on a reconstruction by W.D.Matthew made before the complete skull 
was prepared.
       4) The upright configuration which results in the tail-dragging 
posture was created at the AMNH in order to make the theropods more bird-like, 
believe it or not! DV