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Re: solnhofen



> Also, the Eichst[ä]tt specimen of _Archaeopteryx_ (=_Jurapteryx recurva_)
has
> teeth that are more recurved than those of the other specimens (hence the
> species name).  Very unsuitable for grabbing slippery fish.

I have to find an image of this...

> >...), and apparently there wasn't much to eat on land,
>
> Really?  Somebody ought to tell _Compsognathus_ that.
>
> You've already mentioned little reptiles such as _Bavarisaurus_ and
> _Homeosaurus_.  And insects too (which can't have spent their entire
> lifespan on the wing.)  Apparently _Compsognathus_ found enough to eat.

It was 2 -- 3 times as long as *Archaeopteryx*, IIRC (1.4 m when adult). I
suppose the lepidosaurs were mostly to big for Archie, no?

> >but plenty of fish in all sizes in the lagoons.
>
> _Archaeopteryx_ would have to compete with pterosaurs such as
> _Rhamphorhynchus_ which had jaws specialized for catching fish and were
> quite possibly superior fliers.  Perhaps _Archaeopteryx_ did include fish
in
> its diet; but it certainly wasn't specialized for piscivory.

Otherwise it would have had to compete with *Compsognathus*...

> Could it be David that you have some particular motive for trying to tie
> _Archaeopteryx_ to the water...?  ;-)

Sure! I can't explain the evolution of the wingstroke otherwise! :-)