Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site psivax.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!hplabs!sdcrdcf!psivax!friesen From: friesen@psivax.UUCP (Stanley Friesen) Newsgroups: net.origins Subject: More reviews Message-ID: <740@psivax.UUCP> Date: Wed, 18-Sep-85 22:34:58 EDT Article-I.D.: psivax.740 Posted: Wed Sep 18 22:34:58 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 23-Sep-85 00:39:18 EDT Reply-To: friesen@psivax.UUCP (Stanley Friesen) Organization: Pacesetter Systems Inc., Sylmar, CA Lines: 73 Today I will give brief reviews of three publications that are essentially just lists of dinosaurs. Two are popular publications, the third is a professional one(though it is not in a real refereed journal). "The New Dinosaur Dictionary" by Donald F. Glut Citadel Press, 1982 This is a remarkably accurate and up to date dictionary containing all genera of dinosaurs known at the time of publication. It also includes all names given to dinosaur or dinosaur-like footprints. It includes reproductions of many pictures and illustrations from other sources, including a number of excellent recent reconstructions. Of some importance is the fact that, in areas of significant dispute, the book remains quite noncommittal - leaving the conclusion open. The disadvantage of this is that it often leaves the relationships and significance of some forms rather obscure. This book is thus a good *starting* place for tracing down information about some type of dinosaur, since the few statements actually made can generally be relied upon. But for greater detail or deeper understanding some other source is necessary. "A Field Guide to the Dinosaurs" by David Lambert Avon Books, 1983 Also a very up-to-date and complete list of dinosaur taxa. Often more detail is given than in the previous book, including a tentative, complete classification. An excellent source for at least one set of conceptions about the relationships among the various forms. Of course in pinning these matters down it is not as noncommittal as Glut's book, making it less reliable in the long run. One of the most outstanding features of this book is the inclusion of silhouettes showing the *relative* *sizes* of the genera in each family. These sihouettes are *not* intended to show the actual shape of the organisms, as can be seen by noticing that for many families all the silhouettes are absolutely identical except for size. In most cases they seem to be based on the best known genus in the family. "The Archosaurian Taxa, (excluding Crocodylia)" by George Olshevsky in "Mesozoic Meanderings", 1978 (Available from G&T Enterprises 260 Wellesley St #2203 Ontario, Canada M4X 1G6) This is a complete taxonomic listing of all *species* of Archosaurs, including those now considered junior synonyms of other species. In fact the pamphlet provides a complete synonymy for all forms. By including the information from the addendum and three supplements it can be brought almost up-to-date(ca. 1981). It is a rather technical paper, being nothin but a taxonomic listing in the form used in professional taxonomic publications. If you know how to read these, however, it can be quite informative. Since this mode of listing includes the author and date of each taxon, you can even track down the original descriptions for each(with enough effort). The main problem I found was having to wade through all those supplements to get the current status of any taxon(since any taxon may appear in the supplements, if it has changed status). Another minor problem, more of a nit really, is that Dr Olshevsky consistantly fails to apply the Rule of Priority with regard to species described on the basis inadequate material. This is clearly in violation of the official Rules of Zoological Nomenclature. So for those of you who are interested in a less "dramatic" presentation of some real data, this is a really excellent place to start. (The whole bundle, with all supplements, costs about $3.00) -- Sarima (Stanley Friesen) UUCP: {ttidca|ihnp4|sdcrdcf|quad1|nrcvax|bellcore|logico}!psivax!friesen ARPA: ttidca!psivax!friesen@rand-unix.arpa Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com