Re: paleonet Bird bone preservation

["photojack53" <photojack53@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Greetings,

   Flightless birds generally have thicker-walled bones than the
"weight-conscious " flying birds.  Compare a Kiwi bone to a similar sized or
weight bird that flies, like a crow or raven and the analogy should hold.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kleo P" <burszt@hotmail.com>
To: <paleonet@nhm.ac.uk>
Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2003 2:20 PM
Subject: Re: paleonet Bird bone preservation


> I've read this statement also.  The author says the "bones are thicker
than
> those of most birds" not that they are larger--you quote it as I remember
> it.  I assumed this to mean that the walls of the Dodo's bones were
thicker
> and therefore, the bones were less airy, internally, than similar sized
bone
> birds tend to be.  A Dodo bone the same size as the bone of a flying bird,
> the Dodo bone would stand up to crushing during burial better than the
other
> due to the Dodo having "thicker" not bigger bones.  I don't have much
> background in taphonomy, though, and will have to try this for myself.
>
> Do you have the original source for the observation?
>
> I would love to have a taphonomist weigh in in detail on Paleonet or maybe
a
> citation?
>
> Kleo P.
>
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