Re: semilunate carpal

[Dinogeorge@aol.com]

In a message dated 8/8/01 4:09:04 PM EST, rbi@dana.ucc.nau.edu writes:

<< I thought Caple, Balda, and Willis on their paper on the physics of 
preflight pretty convincingly argued that the ground-up track was physically 
and mechanically possible, and that even small development of feather-like 
integument would aid a cursorial predator. >>

But the other track, that is, from arboreality to flight, is surely >even 
more possible<. E.g., a small development of feather-like integument would 
also aid an arboreal animal, partuclarly in ameliorating the Falling Problem. 
Also, it has been a long time since I read that paper, but I recall being not 
particularly convinced by their arguments.