Re: Pterosaur wing membranes

[jrc <jrccea@bellsouth.net>]

If I remember correctly, BSP 1937 I 18 is the Vienna specimen (a photo is 
shown on page 150 of Wellnhofer's Encyclopedia).  It  is taken by some to be 
a clear indication of an ankle attachment (I can't see that myself).  It 
could also show torso skin that has flattened out laterally as the soft 
tissues decomposed, rather than a thigh attachment.  Note that I think it 
quite likely that some species did have thigh or ankle attachments -- I just 
haven't seen unambiguous proof of any specific attachments yet, narrow or 
otherwise.  The thing I've always found most interesting about the Vienna 
specimen is the ovoid structure immediately behind the elbow and the 
extremely narrow aft chord at the elbow.  No matter what the membrane did 
inboard of the elbow, the wing was narrow outboard of it.  I agree with 
Bennett re the narrow distal chord, but have no particular reason to think 
the inboard patagium was particularly stretchy fore and aft.

Does anyone have a link to a photo of NHMW 1975/1756 ?
JimC

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Christopher Collinson" <thats_mr_annoying_to_you@yahoo.com>
To: <jrccea@bellsouth.net>; <david.marjanovic@gmx.at>
Cc: <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, May 16, 2006 8:13 PM
Subject: Re: Pterosaur wing membranes


> I will say that there are several good
> specimens of Pterodactylus that show the
> brachiopatigum attached to mid thigh NHMW 1975/1756
> and BSP 1937 I 18.
>
> Also, there is no reason to believe that ankle
> attachment has to equal broad wing or vice a versa.
> The elastic nature of the patigum would likely have
> resulted in a narrow distal chord regardless of the
> point of attachment(Bennett 2000.)