Re: 4 winged dino NOVA

[Mike Habib <habib@jhmi.edu>]

> It looks like they tried a number of positions, and came to some  
> interesting conclusions.

As they should; it's a good way of doing things.  However, this is a  
case where aerodynamics and anatomy have to be considered together  
when making final conclusions, because there are aerodynamically  
active positions for Microraptor that are anatomically implausible (or  
outright impossible).

Part of the trouble that has plagued many (most?) Microraptor  
reconstructions is that a great number of researchers seem dead set on  
making the hind limbs somehow act as "standard" wings (that is,  
lifting surfaces positioned to provide lift forces vertically against  
weight in a steady glide), which is rather unlikely.

Cheers,

--Mike


Michael Habib, M.S.
PhD. Candidate
Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
1830 E. Monument Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
(443) 280-0181
habib@jhmi.edu