Re: Coelurosauria

[Nick <nick.gardner@gmail.com>]

On 8/10/06, Jamie Stearns <stearns5@cox.net> wrote:
> From two other messages:
> I wish I was using some kind of cladistics program, but this was
> mostly put together by reading various analyses and descriptions, looking
> over photographs and drawings of skeletal material, and then putting taxa
> where they appeared to fit best. Basically, a lot of educated guessing on my
> part, and I know I probably messed up a few times. As for the alvarezsaurs,
> I included them mostly to be thorough, and I really don't know where they
> should fit (well, a lot of people don't). Perhaps I should have just left
> them out.

> Plus, like I
> said, most of this is a lot of educated guessing as I don't have a
> cladistics program helping me out.

http://evolution.genetics.washington.edu/phylip.html

This is always an option for individuals without PAUP. I didn't find
PHYLIP too difficult to use overall before I got PAUP. There's a
healthy amount of documentation on the Website and I'm sure list
members with experience in it would be happy to provide answers to
questions regarding its use. But there are some limitations to
PHYLIP...

More recent message:
> I don't really know much about Adasaurus, as I can't seem to find any
> pictures of the skeleton. Utahraptor may have been placed too close to
> Deinonychus by mistake, as it seems the reconstruction I've seen was likely
> inspired by that monstrosity from Jurassic Park, at least judging from the
> shape of the skull.

I am not positive, but I'm fairly certain that Utahraptor's skull
material is limited to a premaxilla  and a lacrimal. :P

> From a much earlier message:
> > I look forward to seeing your coelurosaur cladogram.
> I'll have it up this afternoon.

I'm more looking forward to seeing your opinions on ornithischians.