Re: Pterosaur.net

[David Peters <davidpeters@att.net>]

Mike,

What tells you the pteroid can be depressed? Which muscle depresses the 
pteroid? What bone anchors that muscle? There's nothing out at the tip to pull 
it up and down. If you're attempting to manipulate the pteroid near its 
articulation, then you've got a very short lever to work with. And finally, are 
you articulating the pteroid principally on the radiale? 

At present, your answer doesn't appear to have any evidence to back it up.

David



On Jan 14, 2010, at 1:28 PM, Mike Habib wrote:

> On Jan 14, 2010, at 11:42 AM, David Peters wrote:
> 
>> "The additional membranes (especially the front one) controlled by a special 
>> bone called the pteroid would have helped with steering." The pteroid was 
>> inboard and would not have been such a great steering aid.
> 
> Because depression of the pteroid (and hence the propatagium) changes entry 
> angle of the inboard wing, the pteroid would be a very good "steering aid" - 
> flying taxa turn by altering the fluid force production between the two 
> wings, such that they differ, which forces a roll and therefore a turn.  A 
> little change in entry angle goes a long way, so the propatagial position is, 
> in fact, a factor in maneuverability.
> 
> Cheers,
> 
> --Mike
> 
> 
> Michael Habib
> Assistant Professor of Biology
> Chatham University
> Woodland Road, Pittsburgh PA  15232
> Buhl Hall, Room 226A
> mhabib@chatham.edu
> (443) 280-0181