Theropod hands - thumb pointing forward.... ?

[arioch]

...Or backward-inward? I usually see both kind of professional reconstructions . The second and third finger (when it exists) always point forward in pronated hands but the thumb could come in both ways. I noticed that in some of the later dromie reconstructions, almost always points forward.





But you still can see this in supposedly accurate depictions (The way I do it):




So, are both valid? or the forward thumb is completely outdated?



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[dinoguy2]

I think it's usually illustrated that way in skeletals to show the shape and size of the thumb claw. If the thumb was pointing inward it would be difficult to see. All the claws should probably point inwards in the same direction.

It also varies by position though. As shown in studies by Senter, dromaeosaur fingers palms and claws actually rotate *upward* when the wrist is fully straightened out. If the hand and arm rached forward, the claws would point forward and up towards the sky.

[arioch]

Thanks! That´s what I imagined. Anyway I still plenty of reconstructions with the thumb pointing backward, opposing to the other two fingers. I imagine it is supposed to go a bit inward too but the perspective is a bit hard to catch if you want the claws to be visible in a profile shot.