INTEGBI N33 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Pterodactyloidea, Pterosaur, Marasuchus
31 Mar 2018
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Document Summary
Light, hollow bones - air passages running through lungs allows for better oxygen exchange. Hind legs - free from membrane so could be fast bipedal runners (earlier ones) Wing stability - full of parallel fibers (keratin) to prevent tearing. Fur - for insulation to prevent heat loss (endothermic?) Rapid growth until reaches adult size and then stops growing. Parental care allows babies to put energy into feeding and growing. Fur-like skin covering, indicating they are endothermic. Also flying is very metabolically demanding and need complex metabolism to support. Had a long tail with vane for steering. Leaf shaped structure at the end of the tail. Short tail, often had large crests, which are sexually dimorphic and likely for display. Determinate growth = energy needed for growth is freed up. Hollow bones allow for oxygen exchange better circulation and temperature control (needed for high metabolism) Ankle straight up and down with no rotation.
