of _Archaeopteryx_ is not very well adapted to perching.
The hallux is not reversed, and it is still quite short and
high on the foot compared to later birds. This would make
it very difficult for _Archaeopteryx_ to land on top of a
bush. Difficult, but not impossible - but unusual if these
kind of landings were habitual.
To: dinosaur@usc.edu, twilliams_alpha@hotmail.com
Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2008, 5:21 PM
Scott Selberg wrote:
> It has been postulated that the hind wings of
Microraptor were carried below the animal and were used
to> help it steer or take tighter turns, and that
it's sickle claw was used to help it climb trees.IF it
turns out
> that Archie's environment was in fact low lying
bushes as opposed to the dense forrest environment
> postulated for Microraptor, it would have reduced hind
wings and a reduced sickle claw since instead of
> steering around trees or landing on tree trunks it
could burst ten or twelve feet into the air and land on
> top of a bush, thus reducing the need for tight
steering or a heavy duty crampon.
One potential problem with this scenario is that the foot
of _Archaeopteryx_ is not very well adapted to perching.
The hallux is not reversed, and it is still quite short and
high on the foot compared to later birds. This would make
it very difficult for _Archaeopteryx_ to land on top of a
bush. Difficult, but not impossible - but unusual if these
kind of landings were habitual.
Also, a bush would be more difficult to land on (and launch
from) than a large tree because the thin branches would be
harder to grasp than a thick and sturdy bough. Especially
if the foot is not specialized for perching (as is the case
for _Archaeopteryx).
Cheers
Tim
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