Re: Gliders to Fliers? (Was Re: Ruben Strikes Back)

[dbensen <dbensen@gotnet.net>]

>>I consider it just as likely that dinobirds were originally quadrupedal
semi-sprawlers, and that once the forelimbs had become too winglike to be
used for walking, they would no longer evolve quadrupedal forms. Bipedality
in theropods would be the >result< of having forelimbs specialized for
climbing and/or flying, rather than the other way round. Another evolutionary
"spandrel."<<
Might it be just as probable that dinosaurs evolved from hopping jabora-like
lagosuchians(sp?)?  We know that bipedal hopping is more efficiant than
quadripidal walking in certain cercumnastances (like, over sand).  Perhaps the
specialized jabora-hoppers became generalized bipedal walkers as they 
diversified
into different niches.
I honestly don't know about the out of the trees idea of dinosaur evolution.
There hasn't really been any evidence for it.

Dan