ERTH 2104 Lecture Notes - Lecture 14: Pterosaur, Archosaur, Vertebrate
14 Dec 2019
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Appeared at the end of the triassic. First spores of air space for distribution. First ones were already highly specialized flyers. Three levels of flight: gliding, flying, soaring. Arctic tern with an annual migration route. Discovery of new areas otherwise inaccessible over land. Some fused joints to reduce flexibility for controlled movement. Warm bloodedness for constant high levels of energy. Poor fossilization potential due to fragile hollow bones. A joint at the base of the finger so that the wing can be folded in when not flying. 4 joints in the finger, 3 more short fingers for grasping branches, etc. Large opening between nostril and eye, maybe to lighten skull. Sharp bill, some teeth on the jaw. Teeth were sharp without serration suitable for capturing and killing (most-likely fish) Breastbone is a large plate for bracing the wings and anchoring the flight muscles. Hollow vertebrae at the front of the body and connected to the lungs by pneumatic tubes.
