Re: Wilkinson's new pterosaur paper

[jrc <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

Comments inserted below.
JimC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "david peters" <davidrpeters@earthlink.net>
To: "jrc" <jrccea@bellsouth.net>
Cc: <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2007 9:04 AM
Subject: Re: Wilkinson's new pterosaur paper


> So far, in the widest possible variety of pterosaurs, there is no evidence 
> for a wing tip to hind leg connection.

I've not seen any convincing evidence of a wing/hindlimb connection either. 
But, I'm not ready to exclude it as a possibility.  It is certainly 
counterproductive in terms of aerodynamic efficiency for marine soarers 
though.

> The two wing configurations 1) wingtip to elbow and 2) wingtip to thigh 
> are fundamentally different. The first has its origin distally, like a 
> bird. The other proximally, like a flying squirrel. You cannot have one 
> AND the other in the same clade.

I wouldn't argue that -- but, the trailing edge doesn't go to the elbow; it 
usually passes about 40% of the length of the humerus behind the elbow.  I 
suspect that the trailing edge and wing root generally attach to the body 
along the ilium (sp??).  But, that isn't proven either.