surface/volume ratio and water loss in smallest amniotes

[David Peters <davidpeters@att.net>]

Speaking of 2/3, 3/4...

I ran across this article and a few others like it that describe the world's 
smallest extant amniotes and their desiccation troubles whenever removed from 
their moist leaf litter environments. 

On a similar note, there seems to be a lower size limit (for adults) for 
pterosaurs, birds and bats that's pretty consistent even though each has 
different 'surface' characteristics. Anyone know of any papers along these 
lines?

Would the lack of smaller birds/bats/pterosaurs be more of a flight problem 
(too small for windy conditions or incoming rain drops)? 

Or a water-loss problem?

Baby bats have smaller wings, but embryo pteros do not, as we know.

Ref below

David Peters




Caribbean Journal of Science, Vol. 37, No. 3-4, 168–173, 2001
At the Lower Size Limit in Amniote Vertebrates: A New Diminutive
Lizard from the West Indies
S. BLAIR HEDGES1 AND RICHARD THOMAS2