RE: Kakapo and the origin of flight (was RE: del Hoyo's avian vol umes )

["Williams, Tim" <TiJaWi@agron.iastate.edu>]

Nick Pharris wrote:

> I saw the TV series and read David Attenborough's book.  By the way,
> according to Sir David, the kagu (another flightless New Zealand
> beginning with 'k') also uses its wings for short glides.


Yep, the kagu comes from New Caledonia (Nouvelle Caledonie) - not New
Zealand.  Woops!


Nick also wrote (in a separate post):

> >  No name for Clade(_Troodon mongoliensis_ + _Dromaeosaurus 
> > albertensis_). Of course, since there aren't any known members of 
> > _Deinonychosauria_ which are not thought to be in this node-based 
> > clade, 
>
>Is it possible that _Microraptor_ is one? 

The arctomet foot of _Microraptor_ suggests this as a real possibility.
Then again, _Microraptor_ also has the elongated chevrons and
prezygapophyses seen in dromaeosaurids, but not in troodontids or birds.



Tim

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

Timothy J. Williams 

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

Phone: 515 294 9233 
Fax:   515 294 3163