Re: Major new paper on dromaeosaurids, with other significant maniraptoran info

[Ronald Orenstein <ron.orenstein@rogers.com>]

At 01:41 PM 8/23/2004, Dino Guy Ralph wrote:
> Two handed scooping doesn't sound far fetched to me, as either hand will
> snag the intended food item and quickly clap toward the opposing hand before
> the animal has a chance to get away.  Dromaeosaurs certainly had long
> forelimbs, and I would expect they were good for something (aside from
> flying and/or gliding in the smaller varieties).  What aspect of this two
> handed scooping scenario troubles you?

I've always thought (in my armchair-amateur way) that the best analogy for 
the forelimbs of dromaeosaurs, from the point of view either of 
prey-catching tools or tree-climbing implements, was a pair of ice 
tongs.  That would make the normal position of hands, with the claws facing 
inward, perfect for grasping either prey (in which case the hind feet could 
be brought forward with a disemboweling stroke, or the head downward for a 
bite) or a tree trunk (in which case the hind limbs could hitch operated 
while the front limbs maintain a grip, especially on a sloping trunk, such 
as that on many arborescent cycads today).  Thus, I can imagine a 
two-handed scenario more easily than a one-handed, personally.


--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116
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Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2          mailto:ron.orenstein@rogers.com