Re: Feather Flap

[Michael Habib <mhabib5@jhmi.edu>]

> I agree completely.  The problem is trying to frame an 
> ecomorphological model for climbing in theropods that can be "tested". 
>   Something along the lines of biomechanical studies combined with 
> modern analogs - such as what was done with the study of _Mononykus_'s 
> forelimbs in a fairly recent study.

True, it is difficult.  One approach is essentially a biomechanical 
process of elimination.  If we first quantify forelimb loadings, and 
then look at the range of possible sources for that loading regime, I 
suspect that only a couple of causes will be viable, given other 
anatomical constraints.

> > One set of characters of note in the regard are actually structural 
> > characters: extant arboreal birds (including modern passerines and 
> > falconimorphs, for example) seem to fall within a similar range for 
> > certain quantitative, structural characters associated with limb 
> > loading.
>
> That sounds very interesting.  Do you have a particular study in mind?

The statement was based upon work I am in the middle of as we speak 
(ie. unpublished data).  It will make its debut at SVP if my abstract 
is accepted.  If not, then at some future date.

Cheers,

--Mike H.