New models for the wing extension in pterosaurs

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	New models for the wing extension in pterosaurs
	Prondvai, Edina 1; Hone, David W. E.2; Prondvai, E (reprint author), Eotvos Lorand Univ, Dept Palaeontol, Pazmany Peter Setany 1-C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary.
刊名	HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
	2008
卷号	20 期号:4 页码:237-254
关键词	Pterosaur Wing Extension Automatism Biomechanics
ISSN号	0891-2963
文献子类	Article
英文摘要	All powered flying animals have to face the same energetic problems: operating the wings during steady flight with muscles that require constant energy input and neural control to work. Accordingly the extant flying vertebrates have apparently found very similar solutions to parts of these issues - the biomechanical automatism built in their skeletal, muscular and connective tissue system. Based on these extant analogues (birds and bats) two new models are presented here for the mechanism of the distal wing extension in pterosaurs, an extinct group of flying vertebrates. The elongate fourth finger which solely supported their extensive flight membrane was a long lever arm that experienced significant loads and for which a reduction in muscle mass through automatisation would have been strongly beneficial. In the first model we hypothesize the presence of a propatagial ligament or ligamentous system which, as a result of the elbow extension, automatically performs and maintains the extension of the wing finger during flight and prohibits the hyperextension of the elbow. The second model has a co-operating bird-like propatagial ligamentous system and bat-like tendinous extensor muscle system on the forearm of the hypothetical pterosaur. Both models provide strong benefits to an animal with powered flight: (1) reduction of muscles and weight in the distal wing; (2) prevention of hyper extension of the elbow against drag; (3) automating wing extension and thereby reducing metabolic costs required to operate the pterosaurian locomotor apparatus. These models, although hypothetical, fit with the existing fossil evidence and lay down a basis for further biomechanical and/or aerodynamical investigations.; All powered flying animals have to face the same energetic problems: operating the wings during steady flight with muscles that require constant energy input and neural control to work. Accordingly the extant flying vertebrates have apparently found very similar solutions to parts of these issues - the biomechanical automatism built in their skeletal, muscular and connective tissue system. Based on these extant analogues (birds and bats) two new models are presented here for the mechanism of the distal wing extension in pterosaurs, an extinct group of flying vertebrates. The elongate fourth finger which solely supported their extensive flight membrane was a long lever arm that experienced significant loads and for which a reduction in muscle mass through automatisation would have been strongly beneficial. In the first model we hypothesize the presence of a propatagial ligament or ligamentous system which, as a result of the elbow extension, automatically performs and maintains the extension of the wing finger during flight and prohibits the hyperextension of the elbow. The second model has a co-operating bird-like propatagial ligamentous system and bat-like tendinous extensor muscle system on the forearm of the hypothetical pterosaur. Both models provide strong benefits to an animal with powered flight: (1) reduction of muscles and weight in the distal wing; (2) prevention of hyper extension of the elbow against drag; (3) automating wing extension and thereby reducing metabolic costs required to operate the pterosaurian locomotor apparatus. These models, although hypothetical, fit with the existing fossil evidence and lay down a basis for further biomechanical and/or aerodynamical investigations.
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WOS研究方向	Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics ; Paleontology
语种	英语
WOS记录号	WOS:000207731300003
公开日期	2013-11-27
内容类型	期刊论文
源URL	[http://119.78.100.205/handle/311034/3286]
专题	古脊椎动物与古人类研究所_图书馆1
通讯作者	Prondvai, E (reprint author), Eotvos Lorand Univ, Dept Palaeontol, Pazmany Peter Setany 1-C, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary.
作者单位	1.Eotvos Lorand Univ, Dept Palaeontol, H-1117 Budapest, Hungary 2.Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Vertebrate Paleontol & Paleoanthropol, Beijing 100044, Peoples R China
推荐引用方式 GB/T 7714	Prondvai, Edina,Hone, David W. E.,Prondvai, E . New models for the wing extension in pterosaurs[J]. HISTORICAL BIOLOGY,2008,20(4):237-254.
APA	Prondvai, Edina,Hone, David W. E.,&Prondvai, E .(2008).New models for the wing extension in pterosaurs.HISTORICAL BIOLOGY,20(4),237-254.
MLA	Prondvai, Edina,et al."New models for the wing extension in pterosaurs".HISTORICAL BIOLOGY 20.4(2008):237-254.