Re: Phylogeny of Maniraptora

["James R. Cunningham" <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

You're interpreting me correctly.  There are times when being coplanar
would be an advantage.  There are other times when being actively
non-coplanar might offer even more advantage.  I gather from your
phrasing below that you accept hindlimb involvement in all wings
associated with patagiums. If so, is that a functional requirement?

Tim Williams wrote:
> 
> James R. Cunningham <jrccea@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> 
> >Would you actually want them to be truly coplanar?
> 
> Not necessarily.  But that's the configuration illustrated in the
> description of _M. gui_ by Xu et al. (2003).  Coplanar forewings and
> hindwings could work in concert to provide the functional equivalent of a
> patagium.  If I'm interpreting your response correctly, then I agree: the
> forewings and hindwings might have acted independently in aerial locomotion.
> 
> Tim
> 
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