Re: Pterosaur Fur

[John Conway <john.a.conway@gmail.com>]

Glen Ledingham wrote:
> If pterosaur wing fur/fuzz was long enough and if it
> could be erected as mammal fur can, perhaps it could
> have served as an aerodynamic spoiler for changing
> flight attitudes.  This would be easier than warping
> the wing, which looks difficult with the single-finger
> leading edge.  

Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for pterosaurs) there is no 
convincing evidence for hair on pterosaur wings.

Pterosaurs had numerous ways of controlling their flight membranes, 
including -- but probably not limited to -- twist at the shoulder and 
the base of metacarpal IV, sweep of the wing finger, various possible 
motions of the pteroid, muscles intrinsic to the flight membrane, and 
possibly air sac inflation and hind limb movements.

Cheers,
John

--

Palaeontography: http://palaeo.jconway.co.uk