Re: vaulting pterosaur launch, questions

[Michael Habib <mhabib5@jhmi.edu>]

> Apart from bringing one back to life somehow, exactly how do we 
> "properly" establish that Archie flew?  The fossil evidence is 
> entirely consistent with an animal that was most likely at least a 
> rudimentary flapping flyer.

Actually, it's a bit mixed in this regard.

> How did it fly? By flapping its wings.

Okay, very funny :)  Seriously, though, there's a lot to this question 
of importance: it includes launch, power output, flapping kinematic, 
and landing dynamics.

> When did it fly? About 150 ma, give or take a few. Where did it fly? 
> At least in and around the area now know as Solnhofen, Germany. Why 
> did it fly? Who the heck knows! You might as well ask why do we walk? 
> Or why do fish swim?...

I think Scott meant "why" as in "under what stimulus" - as a mode of 
travel between elevated points, or as a predator escape, or something 
else entirely?

Cheers,

--Mike


Michael Habib, M.S.
PhD. Candidate
Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution
Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
1830 E. Monument Street
Baltimore, MD 21205
(443) 280 0181
habib@jhmi.edu