Re: Science feather strength debate

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

On Mon, Nov 8th, 2010 at 10:50 AM, Tim Williams <tijawi@gmail.com> wrote:

> I'll only add that in several papers published in the 1970's, John
> Ostrom proposed that _Archaeopteryx_ could not fly.  He even stated
> that the position of the glenoid prevented the humerus from being
> raised above the shoulder. 

I wonder whether Archie had enough flexibility in the elbow and wrist to 
compensate for this? 
Could it not have utilised a flight stroke more like that of modern bats, with 
a lot of flexibility in the 
various wing joints, rather than having the more stiffened wing structure seen 
in modern birds?

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Dann Pigdon
Spatial Data Analyst               Australian Dinosaurs
Melbourne, Australia               http://home.alphalink.com.au/~dannj
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