On 7-10-2014 4:30, Tim Cook wrote:
> On 2014-10-06 17:53, andrel wrote:
>> My problem with the current placing is that as far as I know there is no
>> muscle there that could move the fin. Somewhat higher up one might use a
>> modified abdominal muscle.
>> I think if you make a vertebrate it should conform to the body plan of
>> vertebrates or at least be physiological plausible. That is why I am a
>> fan of Terryl Whitlatch (and not only because of the extra 'l' at the
>> end of her first name).
>
> Structure of this mermaid is directly based on my own dolphin-tailed
> mermaid designs (which are more analogous to a centaur, having a two
> sets of forelimbs and an extended spine).  The placement of the
> nearly-vestigal dorsal fin corresponds roughly to that of a dolphin,
> while the 'pectoral fins' are morphologically analogous to replacing the
> legs of a human at the acetabulum of the pelvis with a dolphin's forelimbs.
>
> references:
> http://empyrean.deviantart.com/art/Mermaid-skeleton-105128891
> http://empyrean.deviantart.com/art/Mermaid-musculature-136764629
> http://empyrean.deviantart.com/art/Mermaid-anatomy-455530950

We do have a few mermaid skeletons in the Vrolik museum.
some are described her, but there may be better sources.
http://thechirurgeonsapprentice.com/2014/09/09/disturbing-disorders-sirenomelia-mermaid-syndrome/
The artist here took a different approach.

> I had moved the 'pectoral fins' upwards from these drawings so they'd be
> a little better-balanced, visually (would work by rotating the 'femur'
> upwards, keeping its joints intact, just shifting where the limb exits
> the thigh), and made other minor changes as I went, but am trying to
> keep to my musculature layout.

Of course you are free to create your own creature but this would not 
work anatomically. I you want to have fins that are homologous to the 
legs they have to be below the pelvis, otherwise the hip joint won't 
work. Nor do I see a reason why they would not work if placed lower. 
Hence evolutionary it would also not make sense. IMHO




-- 
Everytime the IT department forbids something that a researcher deems
necessary for her work there will be another hole in the firewall.

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