RE: Gliders to Fliers? (Was Re: Ruben Strikes Back)

["Tracy Ford" <tlford@ix.netcom.com>]

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dinosaur@usc.edu [mailto:owner-dinosaur@usc.edu]On Behalf Of
NJPharris@aol.com
Sent: Friday, September 24, 1999 6:21 PM
To: dinosaur@usc.edu
Subject: Re: Gliders to Fliers? (Was Re: Ruben Strikes Back)

In a message dated 9/24/


The total decoupling of fore- and hindlimbs in avian locomotion implies to
me
that the two sets were already completely decoupled before there was any
development of the arm towards a wing condition (i.e. that pre-flying birds,
whenever they might have lived, were already completely bipedal).


Well, since I'm back at my computer I'll put in my 2 cents worth. IMHO there
was no decoupling of the front and hind legs in pre-flying birds because
they weren't connected by any type of membrane. They had 'FEATHERS' which do
not connect to the arms and hind legs. The legs were always free. This
enabled them to climb trees and glide, parachute, fly what ever, and also
walk bipedally. This, I believe, helps BCF.
Tracy