The second problem is slightly harder. Why would such a wrist joint be retained in maniraptoran theropods which are dentally and toenail minded when it comes to killing?
1995) suggests that the flexibility would come in useful where a grasping action of the hands could augment the killing action of the teeth and/or toenails. I would speculate further. In modern birds the biceps are involved in the folding of the wing. If this were extended to the theropods, the action of pulling the prey into the body would tend to strengthen the grip of the theropod by bringing into play the largest muscle on the arm – the biceps, rather than just the wrist muscles. Such a scenario would provide a distinct advantage and thus the retention of the wrist joint in the theropods is not surprising. The title of the sequel to “Jurassic Park” is thus easy: “Jurassic Park II: The cuddle of the Coelusaurs”!
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