Re: Pantydraco and the worst dinosaur name

[Tim Williams <tijawi@gmail.com>]

David Marjanovic <david.marjanovic@gmx.at> wrote:

> >     Worst names list?
>
> *Brontosaurus*. If elephants are any guide, sauropods did _not_ trample.


Despite popular lore, _Brontosaurus_ was *not* named because it was
thought to make the ground shake like thunder when it walked or ran.
When Marsh came up with the name _Brontosaurus_, he was alluding to
the great size of the beast.


I believe _Brontotherium_, which Marsh named 6 years before
_Brontosaurus_, was named after the "Thunder Beast" of Sioux
mythology; either because the bones were found after severe
thunderstorms, or because the animals themselves were thought to bring
on thunderstorms - I've heard both versions.


Cheers

Tim