Re: *Mauisaurus* vs large pterosaurs

[Dann Pigdon <dannj@alphalink.com.au>]

On Thu, Oct 8th, 2009 at 9:59 AM, don ohmes <d_ohmes@yahoo.com> wrote:

> --- On Wed, 10/7/09, Dann Pigdon <dannj@alphalink.com.au> wrote:
> > My thoughts exactly. Elasmosaurs appear to have been the
> > vacuum cleaners of the sea.
> > 
> > I also have my doubts that an elasmosaur could have held
> > it's neck vertically rigid out of the water 
> > for *any* amount of time. Apart from structural concerns,
> > the pressure difference between head 
> > and body would have been enormous. It's generally very hard
> > to catch a pterosaur on the wing 
> > when you're unconscious.
> 
> You have the physics backwards. Body in water, head in air. More pressure on 
> the body, less
> pressure on the head is good (w/in reason). Helps the heart pump higher. So 
> no passing out.

Would having a sudden increase of blood pressure in the head be any better than 
a sudden 
decrease?

-- 
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Dann Pigdon
GIS / Archaeologist                Australian Dinosaurs
Melbourne, Australia               http://home.alphalink.com.au/~dannj
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