Re: On the Issue of Sprawling Dromaeosaurs

[Donna Braginetz <quailspg@frii.com>]

Christopher Collinson wrote:
> 

> First this wren is not sprawling in the same manner that is associated with
> the four wing sprawl hypothesis, where the femur would rotate forward and
> up/out. In fact the femur as well as the tibia occupy near normal positions,
> the knee is probably directed a little inward from its normal position so
> that the ankle is oriented as far out ward as possible. Secondly I think
> there may be a bit of an optical allusion at play here, making the right
> ankle appear closer to the lens than it really is.

Um, okay then... could Microraptor conceivably fly (or glide, or steer,
or whatever) with only its tibia and foot rotated outward (in the photo,
the wren's right tibia is definitely rotated out of its usual plane)?

http://friendsofsherwoodisland.org/Photos/Hand/Land/AJH-marsh%20wren%20supersplit.jpg



- Donna Braginetz