Re: solnhofen

["Tim Williams" <twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com>]

Dinogeorge@aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 4/25/01 1:13:05 PM EST, twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com 
> writes:
>
> << What primordial aerial locomotor function were these non-winged 
> forelimbs
>  used for then? >>
>
> First, climbing; then fluttering/parachuting/gliding (here / means 
> "and/or"); then various kinds of pre-maniraptoran powered flying. 
> Feathered, airfoil-like tail was also useful in some of these > behaviors.

In terms of the overall scenario, we are in total agreement.  Except I would 
substitute "pre-metornithine" for "pre-maniraptoran".

If cambered, the long feathered tail may have served as an airfoil.  
Primitively, pennaceous feathers probably developed on the tail in order to 
promote drag, as they did on the manus and/or forearm.


Tim


------------------------------------------------------------

Timothy J. Williams

USDA/ARS Researcher
Agronomy Hall
Iowa State University
Ames IA 50014

Phone: 515 294 9233
Fax:   515 294 3163

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