Re: Karlsruhe wing question

["James R. Cunningham" <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

I had previously mentioned to David P that in low resolution, it
appeared possible that the specimen indicated a detached narrow wing
overlain by the independent tibia.  So, he then sent me a GIF detail
that appears to show actinofibril-like structure aft of the tibia in a
layout pattern that would be consistant with a detached narrow wing, but
inconsistant with an attached broadwing.  However, the GIF is in Indexed
Color and consequently I can't process the color layers individually or
blow it up without losing detail, so I can't yet be sure. I'd love to
see a high-res RGB image, because it seems to me that there are
tantalising indicators that this may be a narrow-wing beastie. At
low-res, it appears possible (perhaps probable) that the distal end of a
narrow wing sans wingfinger skeleton is lying underneath and aft of the
tibia near the ankle.
Jim

David Peters wrote:
> 
> Just saw the Karlsruhe wing under the computer "microscope" prior to
> sending Jim Cunningham a sample near the ankle. As I mentioned to Jim,
> I'll let him make a pronouncement as to what that portion of the wing
> means, but that still allows me to ask a question:
> 
> Since aktinofibrils are well known from the distal part of the pterosaur
> wing and less well known (or even absent) proximally, if one sees what
> appears to be a trailing edge set of well-packed aktinofibrils on a
> membrane that crosses the tibia to the medial side of the ankle, does
> that mean we may be seeing a piece of distal wing membrane there?
> 
> Dr. Unwin wrote:
> >> It has a beautifully preserved cheiropatagium with superbly preserved
> wing fibres and a clear line of attachment running right down the crus
> to the distal end of the tibia. <<
> 
> Thanks for the confirmation!
> 
> David Peters
> St. Louis