re: the bipedal ptero-challenge

[Ronald Orenstein <ornstn@rogers.com>]

At 06:21 AM 28/01/03 -0500, aegyptiacus@aol.com wrote:
> I can't imagine another way to help take-off from the ground than running 
> on hindlimbs while beating the wings. Of course, that doesn't make 
> pterosaurs bipedal, just bipedal-runners-to-help-take-off.
> Am I missing something?

Well, have a look at a sparrow sometime.  Many birds (indeed most) can take 
off directly from a standing or perched position, with no running 
necessary.  of course this starts with a bipedal STANCE, but that is not 
the same thing as bipedal LOCOMOTION.

Perhaps more to the point - does anyone know how those bats capable of 
quadrupedal locomotion (such as vampire bats or mystacinids) take off?  Do 
they lift their forelimbs from the ground first, or just spring into the 
air from a quadrupedal posture and start flapping?


--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116
1825 Shady Creek Court
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 3W2          mailto:ornstn@rogers.com