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

["James R. Cunningham" <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

Yes, there was mention of that.  However, in order to make it larger than
northropi, they had to reinterpret the northropi wing and reduce northropi's 
size
by 10%.  Although I think an animal with a span larger than northropi is quite
possible (there's still room for substantial morphing for additional strength at
northropi's elbow, and throughout the rest of the wing as well), I don't think
downsizing northropi is the way to find one.  (Dave, I respect your efforts, 
admire
your ability, and am eager to see your paper on the new animal, but after two 
years
of fooling about with the northropi wing, I simply can't find a way to remove a
meter from it's estimated span).  As an aside, from fragmentary reports, I 
suspect
there may be another new large pterodactyl soon to be reported as well.  I too, 
was
interested in the non-folding comment, since northropi's wings are quite 
foldable,
and a lack of folding ability could significantly interfere with launch, flight
mechanics, and terrestrial locomotion.
Jim

Betty Cunningham wrote:

> Didn't we just have somebody speaking of a larger-than-quetzel pterosaur
> that was probably incapable of folding it's wings recently?