Re: Horner's Pachy Lumpin' - Your Thoughts?

[don ohmes <d_ohmes@yahoo.com>]

--- On Sun, 1/10/10, David Marjanovic <david.marjanovic@gmx.at> wrote:

> Perhaps more importantly, the horns of
> *Triceratops* (even when *Torosaurus* is not included)
> _change curvature_ during ontogeny, from backward-pointing
> to forward-pointing. The only way to change the curvature of
> a bone is to deposit bone on one side and _remove it_ from
> the other. 

Is this true in the case where the horns are also rapidly enlarging? It would 
seem in that case that merely increasing deposition on one side would change 
curvature w/out any removal required. 

Further -- I wonder if backwards curving horns in juveniles is mentioned in lit 
as support (on a selective basis) for the 'extended close physical 
adult/offspring contact' scenario. Perhaps hunkering underneath Mom for 
protection from sun, weather, and predators (etc) was better tolerated by Mom 
if your little horns did not stick STRAIGHT up... :D