Re: A note on pterosaur nesting behavior

[Mike Habib <habib@jhmi.edu>]

On Jul 23, 2009, at 6:25 PM, David Peters wrote:

> New paper on ptero eggs
>
> Grellet-Tinner, Gerald, Wroe, Stephen, Thompson, Michael B. and Ji,  
> Qiang(2007)'A note on pterosaur nesting
> behavior',Historical Biology,19:4,273 — 277
>
> Assuming they were archosaur eggs, yes, the eggs would probably have  
> to be buried.
> But if not archosaurs, the possibilities expand.

Based on the data in the paper, I don't entirely agree that the egg  
burial model depends on an archosaurian position.  The structural  
traits examined by the authors are also indicative of egg burial in  
living squamates, for example.  I don't see how alternative  
phylogenetic positions would actually change the functional conclusion  
based on physiological correlates in this case.  Regardless, and  
interesting paper and well worth the quick read for anyone with an  
interest in pterosaurs.

Cheers,

--Mike


Michael Habib, M.S.
PhD. Candidate
Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
1830 E. Monument Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
(443) 280-0181
habib@jhmi.edu