Re: Bahariasaurus

["Mickey Mortimer" <Mickey_Mortimer111@msn.com>]

B B wrote-

> If you feel it is an unsound argument feel free to pick it apart.  Here
> is my hypothesis:  I think Bahariasaurus was a basal tyrannosaur.  A
pelvis
> that supposedly belongs to it seems to indicate tyrannosaur affinities.

Why?  Which characters do the pelvic remains (pubis, proximal ischium) of
Bahariasaurus share with tyrannosauroids?

> Tyrannosaur premaxiliary teeth are known from India (they were previously
> reffered to Indosuchus).

What's the reference for this?  Premaxillae referred to Indosuchus by
Chatterjee (1976) have been described as having D-shaped teeth.  However,
these teeth are markedly asymmetrical, unlike tyrannosauroid premaxillary
teeth.  They are also about as thick (labiolingually) as they are long
(mesiodistally), unlike tyrannosaurids (though teeth referred to
Aviatyrannis have subequal dimensions as well).  Thus, these teeth fit the
much broader concept of "D-shaped" teeth that are found in most avetheropods
and apparently abelisaurids as well (Sampson et al., 1996).  Indeed, the
Majungatholus premaxilla described by the latter authors is nearly identical
to that referred to Indosuchus, strongly suggesting the Indian remains are
abelisaurid.

> I suspect there may be a relationship between
> Bahariasaurus and Dryptosaurus and/or Alectrosaurus.

Again, you'll have to defend this with data.

Mickey Mortimer