Re: bat/ptero wing fingers

[Tim Williams <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

David Peters wrote:

> Just the opposite. Ptero membranes developed distally on a relatively
> short finger four as yet another decorative membrane, then extended
> medially to connect first with the elbow then the torso employing Jim
> Cunningham's famous fuselage fillet to the upper thigh.

Nice story.  Where's the evidence?

> Evidence can be found in Sharovipteryx and Longisquama.

Assuming you can establish that _Sharovipteryx_ and _Longisquama_ are 
actually closely related to pterosaurs.  Recent analyses tend to put these 
critters a long way from pterosaurs, phylogenetically speaking.

> And yes, of course, as the finger got longer, so did the wing membrane. But 
> it was not
> analogous to the Colugo or the Rocket J. Squirrel situation.

Again, I would love to see the hard evidence to back up this "just-so" 
scenario.



Tim