The Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Creationism (2018)

DISCUSSION 1. Baraminology Discussion Because we analyzed such a large number of datasets and subsets of datasets, the best way to discuss the results of these analyses is to discuss what the results mean for each taxonomic group of interest. A. Avialae Avialans were included in many of these analyses, and we consistently found evidence of discontinuity separating avialans from other non-avian theropods. Avialans did not correlate positively with dromaeosaurids or troodontids in the paravian subset BDC results for Lee et al. (2014), Zanno (2010), or Van der Reest and Currie (2017) (Figs. 36, 48, and 58, respectively). Additionally, the 3D MDS results in these same analyses show an avialan cluster separate from the other taxa (Figs. 37, 49, and 59, respectively). There are some positive correlations between Archaeopteryx and deinonychosaurs in the paravian subset analysis of Brusatte et al. (2014) (Fig. 20). Additionally, Archaeopteryx and Balaur (possibly a dromaeosaurid or a “basal” avialan) correlate positively with some other avialans in this analysis ( Sapeornis and Confuciusornis ). Balaur is poorly represented (TRC <0.32), and removal of it and the other taxa under 0.32 TRC does clear up the BDC and MDS patterns, showing positive correlation/clustering between Archaeopteryx and Bambiraptor only (Appendix, Figs. 66-677). These results agree with what was previously reported by Garner et al. (2013). They found strong evidence for discontinuity between non-avialan theropods and avialans. Interestingly, they also discovered Archaeopteryx to be difficult to classify. In some analyses, it clustered with deinonychosaurs, but in others it clustered with avialans. At this point, we still cannot say with certainty whether Archaeopteryx is continuous with some avialan McLain et al. ◀ Feathered dinosaurs reconsidered ▶ 2018 ICC 493 Figure 40. BDC results of the Tyrannosauroidea + non-coelurosaur theropod subset of the Lee et al. (2014) dataset. Black squares indicate significant positive correlation, whereas open circles indicate significant negative correlation. Figure 41. MDS results of the Tyrannosauroidea + non-coelurosaur theropod subset of the Lee et al. (2014) dataset in two views ( left, right ). Colors: red – non-coelurosaur theropod; purple – Tyrannosauroidea. Majungasaurus Masiakasaurus Limusaurus Tawa Herrerasaurus “Syntarsus” kayentakatae Dilophosaurus Cryolophosaurus Yutyrannus Tyrannosaurus Guanlong Dilong Ceratosaurus Monolophosaurus Sinraptor dongi Allosaurus Baryonyx Eustreptospondylus Dubreuillosaurus Afrovenator