RE: Bambiraptor complete!

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

Luc J. "Aspidel" BAILLY wrote:

>Your model is gonna be very fine, HP Allan. BTW, I'm a bit surprised by
>the _length_ of the feathers, they could have been a bit in the way for
>such an animal if it was also hunting with its grasping hands. 

Luc, I'm glad you brought this up because I've been wondering about this
myself.  According to some authors, a forelimb with a row of long feathers
sprouting out of it could not have functioned in prey-grasping.  This is
because (according to these sources - not me) the extra-long feathers would
have created drag and impeded rapid predatory strikes by the forelimb
against prey.  Also, the feathers would have gotten in the way when the
predator was trying to secure a hold on prey (supposedly).

Also, if _Bambiraptor_ was a gliding or parachuting animal (as I know
somebody has restored it - was it Bakker?) continued use of the forelimbs
for predation would foul or displace the forelimb feathers and interfere
with aerial locomotion.  If Garner et al. (1999) are correct on their
"Pouncing Proavis" model, it could be difficult for the theropod to maneuver
to the ground if the feathers have suffered extensive damage or loss by
previous predatory entanglements.  (I think Garner et al. 's model is
correct in some respects, but very flawed in others.)  

As for the above two objections to the forelimbs being use for *both* aerial
locomotion and flight in eumaniraptorans, I think there is an easy way
around both challenges.  But I'd be interested in other people's ideas on
this matter.

Oh, I think Allan's model is great.



Tim