Re: Raptors climbing trees?

[dinoboygraphics@aol.com]

> > > If we can't see what they're specialised /for/, then we can't know 
they are specialised. Dromaeosaurs may be /derived/, but that is not 
the same as specialised.

For example, /Homo/ is a pretty derived genus, but also one helluva 
generalist. <<<


That's of course true, but only serves to delineate the limits of 
current methodology; it can't be used as evidence for an evolutionary 
scenario that contradicts the adapations that are acruing across 
phylogenetic time.

Also your example is (IMO) instructive; future (alien?) paleontologists 
certainly could not infer specific human behavior from morphology alone 
(though one imagines an abundance of archaeological data may be 
available), yet given a fossil record similar to the one we currently 
have the trend towards a larger brain would be clear.  Since higher EQ 
more or less correlates with increases in behavioral felxibility 
(especially within clades) they most certainly could infer that we were 
adapting (specializing, I dare say) in behavioral flexibility while 
losing some physical prowess.

In short, if they found an airplane or perhaps our tracks on the moon I 
think these hypothetical paleontologists would attribute those 
behaviors to our increased cranial capacity rather than plesiomorphic 
(and reduced) abilities that allow us to move about in trees...


Scott Hartman
Science Director
Wyoming Dinosaur Center
110 Carter Ranch Rd.
Thermopolis, WY 82443
(800) 455-3466 ext. 230
Cell: (307) 921-8333

www.skeletaldrawing.com