Dromaeosaurs are Terrestrial Hawks

Denver Fowler and colleagues have just published a series of papers dealing with the reconstruction of predatory behavior as indicated by the proportions, curvature, and anatomy of the pes in theropod dinosaurs. They began this study investigating birds, and the range of ecology and behavior exhibited by a variety of birds. Then they expanded this to that ever-curious group, dromaeosaurs. That is the topic of the current paper, by Denver Fowler, Elizabeth Freedman, John Scannella and Robert Kambic, who describe the pedal anatomy of Deinonychus antirrhopus in relation to its possible predatory capabilities, including the premises of previous authors who’ve inferred the foot was used in climbing (including up the sides of very, very large prey).

Were There European Oviraptorosaurs?

You may have heard of this in a few sites recently, most notably at Darren Naish’s Tetrapod Zoology. If you haven’t, check it out along with Matt Martynuik’s take on what kind of animal Darren is talking about, which is represented by a single vertebra.

A Cretaceous Parrot?

UCMP 143274, Stidham's Cretaceous "parrot." Schematic views top left and both left and right, drawing in lateral view in top left. From top to bottom, left to right: dorsal view, left lateral view, ventral view, medial (lingual) view from the lateral side. Missing margins are dotted in.

A Mess of Archaeopteryx – WP#4

With two new studies on Archaeopteryx in the news, I thought I’d share my piece on them, by way of introducing my Archaeopteryx Mural.

Based on detailed examination of (unfortunately) photographs, I’ve managed to look at, measure, and compare each of the Archaeopteryx (“Archie”) specimens. As noted, this is based on photographs, and is thus inferior to personal examination, especially without having to peer through a glass case. This has been supplemented by extensive description, measurments (primary measurments rather than photographic comparisons were preferred, always), and comparison to other researchers conclusions. I’ve had the benefit of examining a cast of the London specimen from a wall, but it was for a short period and a long time ago; but I’ve also had the benefit of speaking to some of those who’ve examine the material personally. In the end, I made this:

The Archaeopteryx specimens, scaled left to right from largest to smallest.