Re: Wilkinson's new pterosaur paper, J. Headden

[jrc <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

The actinofibrils are intercalated.  They do not run full length.  They can 
be longitudinally lengthened (and shortened) by shifting relative to one 
another along their lengths.  This is one of the primary mechanisms for 
controlling the aeroelastic number and inhibiting flutter.  It can also be 
used for roll control.
JimC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Peters" <davidrpeters@earthlink.net>
To: <qilongia@yahoo.com>
Cc: <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2007 5:11 AM
Subject: Re: Wilkinson's new pterosaur paper, J. Headden


> Fibers beyond the elbow can be rotated to show their  maximum chord 
> length. They cannot be longitudinally lengthened as I  demonstrated with 
> the Zittel wing (ref.   Peters, D. 2002b. A New  Model for the Evolution 
> of the Pterosaur Wing – with a twist. -  Historical Biology 15: 277–301).