YAVERLANDIA REVISITED

[darren.naish@port.ac.uk]

There was some recent discussion in these parts concerning the identity 
of _Yaverlandia_. First let me say that there is no new material 
thought to belong to this taxon, nor has any new discovery showed that 
the holotype skull cap is actually from another taxon (e.g., 
_Polacanthus_). 

As has been mentioned on the list before, a few people have unofficially 
questioned the pachycephalosaurian status of the holotype. One fossil 
preparator who worked at the Museum of Isle of Wight Geology was 
sure it was from an ankylosaur, but this is wishful thinking and 
not backed by features seen in the specimen. The twin parietal doming 
of _Yaverlandia_ means it can easily be compared with _Gastonia_: 
the referred _Polacanthus_ braincase just doesn't provide enough skull 
roof information. Until further material is discovered, little more can 
be said. But stay tuned - more info resulting from a forthcoming 
project is due.

"Those slaughtered sheeps, they lay in heaps, all over Bodmin Moor"


DARREN NAISH 
PALAEOBIOLOGY RESEARCH GROUP
School of Earth, Environmental & Physical Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH
Burnaby Building
Burnaby Road                           email: darren.naish@port.ac.uk
Portsmouth UK                          tel: 01703 446718
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http://www.naish-zoology.com]