Re: PROPATAGIAL INNERVATIONS and Re: Feathers again

[Jeffrey Martz <martz@holly.ColoState.EDU>]

Darren Naish wrote:

> David's speculation that a propatagium may have been useful in 
>  minimising elbow overextension in predators and climbers is indeed 
>  interesting. 

     I am wondering if a force sufficient to overextend the elbow might 
not also be sufficient to rip a patagium right down the middle.  How 
powerful of forces are we talking about, and how strong would the 
patagium (AND the skin it is attached to) have to be to resist them? 

and, Antoni Lacasa wrote:

] 3.- Insulate is different of the waterproofing function.

] Perhaps therefore, those small, dino-birds protected their bodies with 
] this clothing as consequence of feeding in an aquatic medium would tend 
] to reduce corporal temperature encouraging insulating,waterproof feather 
] covering to preserve thermal balance...

     Maybee they just didn't want to freeze after it rained.  In this 
light, the water-proofing advantage is a good point.  Does anyone have 
data on how much better birds with waterproofed feathers retain heat when 
they get wet than mammals?

LN Jeff
0-
"You might combine the two...create the impression that you are 
raffleing off the booth babes."