If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)

Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

New study challenges precocial flight in pterosaurs

Adam Khor · 2012-03-16 19:19:06

It is usually believed these days that pterosaurs could fly from the very moment they hatched, but a new study on Rhamphorhynchus (and Darwinopterus) suggests otherwise. According to the study, the little pterosaurs probably were arboreal but non volant (gliding, perhaps??) creatures until they reached the size and…

16-03-2012 7:19pm

#1

Adam Khor

Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,279 ✭✭✭

Join Date: March 2011

Posts: 3885

It is usually believed these days that pterosaurs could fly from the very moment they hatched, but a new study on Rhamphorhynchus (and Darwinopterus) suggests otherwise. According to the study, the little pterosaurs probably were arboreal but non volant (gliding, perhaps??) creatures until they reached the size and structural maturity necessary for powered flight. Besides, they say, the pterosaur eggs found thus far don´t seem to have had the capacity necessary to provide enough nutrients for a super precocial hatchling.
Very interesting stuff:

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0031392

1