Re: DINOSAUR ARGUMENT: THE RE...

[Stang1996@aol.com]

<<By the usual reconstruction method, yes.  However, this places the entire
vast array of pterosaurs flat on their bellies when on the
ground.  This works for bats, but bats aren't identical in all
respects with what we know of pterosaurs.  There is a school of
thought that places pterosaurs upright, with wing membranes
connecting to hip rather than hind leg, giving them stances and
gaits nearly identical to modern birds.  I find these more plaus-
ible than the old reconstructions, myself, but all reconstructions
new and old are contingent upon confirmation of membrane attachment, and that
has not be definitively confirmed either way to my knowledge.>>

In Peter Wellnhofer's "The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Pterosaurs," he
claims that pterosaurs legs attatched to their wings on the basis of what he
calls 'the Vienna specimen' (page 150).  This is a Pterodactylus kochi that se
ems to show the brachiopatagium (the big wing part) attatching to the leg at
mid-femur.  I would not be too enthusiastic about that (IMHO) because in that
same pterodactylus, it shows that the width of the brachiopatagium at the
elbow is about the same width as the humerus on the right arm.  On the left,
I would be sceptical also becasue the wing finger is folded under the femur.
 Also, he draws (in the explanitory drawing) a lot of 'preserved skin areas'
that are not evident in the photograph (this could be because it's a
photograph).  on the other hand, on page 48 of "Ranger Rick's Dinosaur Book"
there is a photograph of a specimen of some species of Rhamphorhynchus (can
you find another word with four "H'es"?).  This specimen has very nice and
dark skin imprints.  It's right arm is dislocated at the elbow and is folded
over the right leg so that the hand is over the knee, so nothing really can
be gained from that.  The left arm is out of the way so one can veiw the left
leg quite nicely.  What this shows is that the femur was at least 90% free of
the brachiopatagium.  I would think that evidence showing that the femur was
free of the brachiopatagium would be better evidence than that which shows it
attatched (the wing could've folded on top etcetera).  I know this isn't a
real technical reference, but it's the only thing I've got with a picture of
this specimen.  If any o'y'all professionals know this specimen, or any
o'y'all have this book y'all can chime in with your thoughts about it.

Peter Buchholz
Stang1996@aol.com