The findings confirm earlier speculation by R.J. Templin, retired head of the Canadian National Research Council's Aerodynamics Laboratory. He and his colleagues previously determined that pterosaurs possessed what they call "smart wings." "The fourth finger could be moved backward considerably, morphing the wing shape to change speed," they concluded. "Wing anatomy also suggests they functioned as sophisticated flight sensor devices." Templin and his team believe "these dragons of the air" could even teach today's aircraft designers a thing or two. Larger pterosaurs, weighing up to 150 pounds, did have wingspans comparable to those of a Lear jet. What's now missing from the pterosaur picture is how these animals took off, but Padian already has some ideas. "Two obvious choices are just jumping up and flapping, and running along and flapping," Padian said, adding, "I suspect both were possible." Related Links: Pterosaur Features Defy Comparison Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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