TERRESTRIAL LOCOMOTION OF PTEROSAURS - A RECONSTRUCTION BASED ON PTERAICHNUS TRACKWAYS

Authors
BENNETT SC
Citation
Sc. Bennett, TERRESTRIAL LOCOMOTION OF PTEROSAURS - A RECONSTRUCTION BASED ON PTERAICHNUS TRACKWAYS, Journal of vertebrate paleontology, 17(1), 1997, pp. 104-113
Citations number
40
Categorie Soggetti
Paleontology
Journal title
Journal of vertebrate paleontology → ACNP
ISSN journal
02724634
Volume
17
Issue
1
Year of publication
1997
Pages
104 - 113
Database
ISI
SICI code
0272-4634(1997)17:1<104:TLOP-A>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
A reconstruction of the terrestrial locomotion of pterosaurs is presen ted, based on Pteraichnus trackways. The pterosaurs that made the trac kways were walking quadrupedally with a digitigrade manus and plantigr ade pes at approximately 1 m/s. Their posture was erect rather than sp rawling or semi-erect. The trackways suggest that bird-like bipedal an d sprawling to semi-erect postures, and the restrictive interpretation s of limb and girdle joint mobilities upon which they are based, may b e incorrect.