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

[dbensen <dbensen@gotnet.net>]

>>Forms which spend most of their time moving along the top of sub-horizontal
branches tend to stay quadrupedal (this covers most monkeys, squirrels, and
cats).  Forms which spend much of their time on sub-vertical branches (like
indris), or *under* branches (like apes) tend to have their ability to
locomote quadrupedally on a horizontal surface seriously impaired.<<
Okay, that makes sence.  Are there any fossils of such 'tree-leaping' 
archosaurs?

>>The 'nuthatch' idea is not that far off - nuthatches spend their time on
*vertical* branches.  And they have significantly different feet than
passerine birds, indicating different stresses during locomotion.<<
How do their feet compair with other dinosaurs? (that may not even be a valid
question)
I'm glad somebody took my crazy nuthatch idea seriously.

Dan