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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…

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16-03-2012 8:19pm

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Adam Khor

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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

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