RE: Rv: noasaurus reconstruction

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Sebastian Apesteguia wrote:

> Velocisaurids in South America and Madagascar
>
> F. AGNOLÍN, F. NOVAS and S. APESTEGUÍA
[snip]
> Velocisaurus and Masiakasaurus share slender metatarsals II and IV, and 
> very gracile and non-
> raptorial pedal phalanges with a long dorsal process. These features, which 
> distinguish them from >other abelisauroids, prompts the inclusion of the 
> latter within Velocisauridae.

Unless... these features are primitive for Abelisauroidea?   Or convergent 
between _Velocisaurus_ and _Masiakasaurus_?  How does _Elaphrosaurus_ fit 
in?

(Playing Devil's Advocate here.)

_Velocisaurus_ and _Masiakasaurus_ do share slender metatarsals II and IV.  
_Masiakasaurus_ has metatarsal II narrower than both III and IV, as does 
_Noasaurus_ and (I think) _Elaphrosaurus_.

_Velocisaurus_ has metatarsals II and IV narrower than III.  The latter 
condition is fairly typical of theropods, although this is exaggerated in 
_Velocisaurus_ where the shafts of metatarsals II and IV are extremely thin.

Cheers

Tim

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