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Limb disparity and wing shape in pterosaurs.

G J Dyke1, R L Nudds, J M V Rayner

  • 1School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. gareth.dyke@ucd.ie

Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|June 20, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Pterosaur limb proportions reveal distinct flight styles between short-tailed pterodactyloids and long-tailed rhamphorhynchoids. These differences suggest a wider range of flight morphologies in extinct flying reptiles than previously understood.

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Area of Science:

  • Paleontology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Pterosaurs, extinct flying reptiles, exhibit distinct limb proportions compared to modern birds and bats.
  • Two major pterosaur groups, Pterodactyloidea (short-tailed) and Rhamphorhynchoids (long-tailed), show significant differences in limb proportions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate limb proportion variations within pterosaurs.
  • To infer differences in wing membrane extent and flight morphology between pterosaur groups.
  • To re-evaluate the flight capabilities of pterosaurs based on new analyses.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of hindlimb to forelimb ratios in pterosaurs.
  • Ternary analyses to assess wing membrane extent.
  • Examination of limb proportions in key fossil taxa like Sordes pilosus.

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Main Results:

  • Rhamphorhynchoids possess hindlimb to forelimb ratios similar to bats, while pterodactyloids have much higher ratios.
  • Limb proportion differences suggest varied wing membrane extent between the two groups.
  • The fossil Sordes pilosus, often used as a representative, has atypical limb proportions for its group.

Conclusions:

  • A bat-like hindlimb flight membrane may not be universal among pterosaurs.
  • Pterosaur flight morphologies were likely more diverse than previously assumed.
  • Limb proportion data provides crucial insights into the evolution of flight in extinct reptiles.