Re: Sky Monsters (w/spoilers)

[Michael Habib <mhabib5@jhmi.edu>]

> The shape of the tip of the snout is very different from storks and 
> herons -- and very unlike at least one of the  azhdarchids in Sky 
> Monsters.

That doesn't really surprise me.  I don't think I've seen any pterosaur 
jaws that look all that much like heron bills, actually.

> > Most importantly, rapid-striking in the heron or stork style requires 
> > a fairly flexible neck.  They have lots of short cervicals that 
> > anchor a large number of short muscles in the neck.  Such a setup is, 
> > in fact, quite the opposite of the azhdarchid arrangement (where you 
> > get a few short cervicals likely anchoring small numbers of long 
> > muscles).

And just to correct myself (sent the original too quickly), I meant a 
few LONG cervicals are present in azhdarchids (contrasting to the 
numerous short ones in herons).  Oops.  Proofreading is my friend.

> The hard stops in the quetz cerivicals don't allow a striking type of 
> motion.  Their mobility is quite limited.

Glancing at reconstructions and photographs gave me that impression, 
but I didn't want to jump to conclusions.  Again, not surprising...if 
an animal were selected for striking, then it should have numerous 
short cervicals, not the extended cervicals as seen in azhdarchids.

> > Now, not all storks use rapid striking, but those that don't are 
> > largely ground-feeding scavengers.
>
> That has been proposed for quetz.  Again, the tip of the snout doesn't 
> appear to me to be designed for that.

I also have not had the impression that quetz. was built to loiter in 
the same way as most vultures and scavenger storks, though I suppose 
that conclusion depends on a few assumptions regarding wing design.

--Mike