Re: Question about Archaeopteryx's (non) reversed hallux

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

David Marjanovic wrote:

> No theropods except Scansoriopterygidae and Ornithothoraces have reversed 
> halluces, in spite of earlier mistaken reconstructions. *Confuciusornis* 
> has medially directed ones -- the intermediate condition.

Can we be sure that scansoriopterygids (_Epidendrosaurus_ and 
_Scansoriopteryx_) have a reversed hallux?  While it is true that metatarsal 
I articulates fairly distally on the pes, such that its trochlea is around 
the same level as the trochleae of digits II-IV, the morphological 
correlates of a *reversed* hallux have yet to be identified in the 
_Epidendrosaurus_ or _Scansoriopteryx_ specimens.  (Refer to Scott's post to 
see what I mean.)  BTW, I'm not discounting the possibility that 
scansoriopterygids might have a reversed hallux.  What I'm saying is that 
this determination will have to await a thorough examination of the halluces 
of these specimens.

As for Ornithothoraces, I don't believe there is any evidence that a 
reversed hallux is primitive for this group.  It is more likely that 
enantiornitheans and euornitheans (including Neornithes) evolved a reversed 
hallux independently.

But to reiterate another of David's points, reconstructions that show(ed) 
_Archaeopteryx_ with a reversed hallux are mistaken.

Cheers

Tim