Sunday, November 30, 2014

Intramandibular joint


PTEROSAURS

http://dml.cmnh.org/2002Sep/msg00187.html
The unusual intra-mandibular joint described above is found only in herrerasaurids and theropods among dinosaurs. Dinosaurian outgroups (pterosaurs, crurotarsal archosaurs) also lack an intra-mandibular joint.

BASAL PARAVES

Page 21:
http://books.google.ca/books?id=kZqJAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA21&lpg=PA21&dq=Archaeopteryx+intramandibular+joint&source=bl&ots=RKECg3KMdM&sig=0b_OE2jWhNOIFTxjXSdvNt4E-dU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ocV7VKDBBfSZsQSk6YGwCw&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Archaeopteryx%20intramandibular%20joint&f=false
[Archaeopteryx] does not appear to have had an intramandibular joint

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odontognathae
.....intramandibular articulation something that is actually absent in Archaeopteryx, but found in many of its theropod relatives.[2]

DINOSAURS 

http://biology.kenyon.edu/courses/biol241/bird%20flight%202005%20Feduccia_Alan.pdf
It would not tax the imagination to engender a long list of obstacles for the now dominant model of a theropod origin of birds, including....the sliding lower jaw joint [sliding intramandibular joint] of theropods (absent in birds)
http://dml.cmnh.org/2002Sep/msg00187.html
"Kinetic dentary-surangular and splenial-angular articulations are also
present in theropods (e.g., Ceratosaurus, Fig. 10C; Carnotaurus, Bonparte et
al. 1990). In theropods, however, the articular surfaces of the
splenial-angular sliding joint are the reverse of that in Herrerasaurus and
Staurikosaurus; the tongue-shaped process of the splenial has a convex
dorsal articular surface that slides against a concave depression on the
angular. The dentary-splenial joint is also present in theropods, but the
posterodorsal process of the dentary is not elongated as in H.
ischigualastensis. The unusual intra-mandibular joint described above is
found only in herrerasaurids and theropods among dinosaurs. Dinosaurian
outgroups (pterosaurs, crurotarsal archosaurs) also lack an intra-mandibular
joint."

http://www.geol.umd.edu/~tholtz/G104/lectures/104therop.html
The traits uniting Theropoda seem to include:
.........
An intramandibular joint between the dentary and post-dentary bones: this may have served as a shock absorber while feeding on live prey. (Herrerasaurs have a slightly different configuration of the intramandibular joint, and thus may be convergent.)

http://www.bio.fsu.edu/James/Ornithological%20Monographs%202009.pdf
the analysis of Benton (2004) demonstrated that the only unequivocal synapomorphy diagnosing Theropoda is the presence of an intramandibular joint.
http://palaeos.com/vertebrates/coelurosauria/oviraptorosauria.html
Oviraptorosauria:
intramandibular joint absent
https://academic.oup.com/icb/article/55/1/85/617835
Although the majority of teleost fishes possess a fused lower jaw (or mandible), some lineages have acquired a secondary joint in the lower jaw, termed the intramandibular joint (IMJ). The IMJ is a new module that formed within the already exceptionally complex teleost head, and disarticulation of two bony elements of the mandible potentially creates a “double-jointed” jaw. The apparent independent acquisition of this new functional module in divergent lineages raises a suite of questions. 
Although the majority of teleosts possess a fused lower jaw as described above, some species have acquired an additional joint termed the intramandibular (“within the mandible”) joint, or the IMJ. The IMJ facilitates intramandibular bending, or movement that occurs between two individual bony components of the lower jaw; during this movement, the dentary bone rotates about its articulation with the angular-articular. The disarticulation of formerly fused bony elements of the mandible (via unknown developmental mechanisms) creates a “double-jointed” jaw in the species that possess this morphology. Thus, the IMJ is a new module that has formed within the already exceptionally complex teleost head. Remarkably, an intramandibular joint appears to have evolved independently multiple times (Fig. 2)—each time creating a “secondary” jaw joint and disarticulating two formerly fused elements of the lower jaw (Fig. 1).



http://dml.cmnh.org/2002Sep/msg00154.html

Not all carnivores have such a joint. Only neotheropods appear have this, plus *Herrerasaurus* distinctly. Prosauropods and sauropods have flush dentary/postdentary margins or a semi-fixed herrerasaur pattern, and all ornithischians have reduced fenestra in the jaws that correlate with peg-in-notch and scarf joints between the two mandibular halves. The most dynamic predators today, such as falconiforms and cats, have very fixed,immobile jaws. Innovations in the joint were to increase gape and volume of the bite withing increasing skull size.




http://palaeos.com/vertebrates/coelurosauria/tyrannosauroidea.html
One factor which seems to favor bone-crushing as a significant behavior is the design of the tyrannosauroid jaw. Older reconstruction of tyrannosaurs usually incorporated the typical theropod jaw, which includes an intramandibular joint. This joint connects the anterior dentary, splenial and (if present) supradentary with the posterior surangular, angular, coronoid, prearticular and articular. Since this connection is hinged, the lower jaw bends outward in the middle when it is stressed -- as, for example, when the teeth hit something rather hard. Accordingly, most bone would not be crushed. Rather the teeth would slide over it as the jaw deformed, causing the bone to be swallowed whole or rejected.
This arrangement is certainly operative in carnosaurs, and perhaps even basal tyrannosauroids. However, Hurum & Currie (2000) have shown that tyrannosaurinids block the joint. The supradentary overgrows the joint and fuses with the coronoid. This connection is reinforced by a long process of the prearticular which articulates with both the coronoid and the splenial. An anterior process of the angular also bridges the gap ventrally. In addition, the supradentary sends ridges between the teeth, further immobilizing the lower tooth row.




















Friday, November 21, 2014

Summary


Here is a comparison of basal pterosaur, basal paraves and coelurosaur dinosaur.
As we can see, basal paraves are like pterosaurs. Basal paraves are not like dinosaurs.
This is a work in progress.
If anyone would like to contribute to this analysis, please feel free.








Basal Pterosaur: eg. Rhamphorhynchidae
Basal Paraves: eg. Scansoriopterygidae
Coelurosaur Dinosaur: eg. Compsognathidae







Basal Basal Coelurosaur
Pterosaur Paraves Dinosaur
CHARACTERS











Back 1 Notarium: absent (0) present (1) 0 0 0
2 Hyposphene-hypantrum: absent (0) present (1) ? 0 1
Breathing 1 Respiratory air sacs: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
2 Aspiration pump: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
3 Rib lever processes: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
Chest 1 Ossified breastbone: absent (0) present (1)  1 1 x 0
2 Symmetric furcula: absent (0) present (1) 1       x 0
3 Interclavicle: absent (0) present (1) 1 ? 0
Leg 1 Thigh bone: horizontal (0) not horizontal (1) 0 0 x 1
2 Splayed hindlimbs: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
3 4th trochanter on femur: present (0) much reduced (1) 1 1 x 0
Foot 1 Hyperextended second toe: absent (0) present (1) 0
0
0
2 Hinge-like ankle joint: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 1
3 Trochleae of metatarsals I–IV: align (0) not align (1) 0 0 x 1
Pelvis 1 Pubic bone: pointing to back (0) to front (1) down (2) 1 1 1
2 Pubic bones: not fused (0) fused (1) 0 ? ?
3 Acetabulum: not perforated (0) partial (1) full (2) 0 x 1 x 2
4 Pelvic bones: not fused (0) fused (1) 1 ? ?
5 Pre-pubic bone: absent (0) present (1) 1 ** **
6 Supra-acetabular shelf: not present (0) present (1) 0 0 x 1
7 Antitrochanter: absent (0) present (1) 0 0 x 1
8 Sacrum: present (0) not present (1) 0 0 0

9.  
Lunate surface: present (0) not present (1)

0 0 x 1
Tail 1 Caudal vertebrae: less than 15 (0) greater than 15 (1) 1 1 1
2 Caudal rods: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
3 Muscle mass of M. caudofemoralis longus: small (0) large (1) 0 0 x 1
Skull 1 Beak like jaw: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
2 Teeth: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 1
3 Crest: absent (0) present (1)  1 * 0
4 Neck attaches to skull; from rear (0) from below (1) 0 0 0
5 Serrated teeth: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 1
6 Semicircular canals:  expanded (0) not expanded (1) 0 ? ?
7 Intramandibular joint: absent (0) present (1) 0 *
*
8 Mandibular fenestra: absent (0) present (1) * * *
Procumbent teeth: absent (0) present (1)                                   1              ?

Shoulder
1 Strap-like scapula: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 ?
2 Scapula oriented to backbone: subparallel  (0) parallel (1) 1 1 x 0
3 Glenoid fossa: elevated (0) not elevated (1) 0 0 x 1
4 Scapula and coracoid: separate (0) fused (1) 1 1 ?
Feather 1 Stage 2 feathers: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
2 Pennaceous feathers: absent (0) present (1) 0 x 1 x 0
Wing 1 Propatagium: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
2 Patagium: absent (0) present (1)  1 1 x 0
3 Wing membrane: absent (0) present (1) 1 * 0
4 Elongated outer finger: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
5 Number of fingers: 2 fingers (2) 3 fingers (3) 4  fingers (4) 4
** 2/3
6 Pteroid/prepollex: absent (0) present (1) 1
1 x 0
7 Capable of flapping flight: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
8 Long robust arms: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
9 Deltopectoral crest: less than 30% (0) more than 30% (1) 0 0 x 1
Wrist 1 Semilunate carpal: absent (0) present (1) 0    x
1 x 0
2 Proximal carpals: not fused (0) fused (1) 1 ? ?
3 Distal carpals: not fused (0) fused (1) 1
?
4 Carpometacarpus: absent (0) present(1) 0
0
0
5 Angle of abduction:  < 25% (0) > 25% (1) ? ? 0

Arm            
1    Ulna: bowed (0) not bowed (1)                                           
*             
* *
General 1 Warm blooded: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 x 0
2 Neural flight control system: absent (0) present (1) 1 ? 0
3 Pneumatic bones: absent (0) present (1) 1 1 ?
* = varies within group
** = see link
x = different

MORE:
Fibula:    Reduced in birds and pterosaurs, not reduced in dinosaurs
Toes:      Pterosaurs 5 toes, basal paravians 4 toes, dinosaur 3 toes
http://www.itsdinosaurs.com/6-compsognathus.html
Compsognathus had two long and thin legs and feet with three toes each.
Antorbital fenestra: Pterosaur present, dinosaur present, basal paraves present?
Metacarpals?

Ascending process (pretibial): 
on astragalus (0) on calcaneum (1)
Pterosaur (?)
Dinosaur: (0)
Basal parvian (1)

Humerus
https://pterosaurnet.blogspot.com/2017/01/humerus.html

Femur head:
Dinosaur: Cylindrical and at right angles
Pterosaur and paraves: Ball shaped and angled
 








Sunday, November 9, 2014

Shoulder Joint

Among living tetrapods, birds are unique in having completely separated the locomotor functions of fore and hindlimbs. The propulsive excursions of the forelimbs, which primarily involve elevation and depression in a transverse plane, differ fundamentally from those of most other tetrapods (pterosaurs and bats excepted) in which the forelimbs protract and retract in anteroposterior planes.
Pterosaurs and birds present a number of striking parallelisms in the structure of their flight apparatus and the glenoid is yet another example of their independent derivation of similar features.
In both rhamphorhynchoid and pterodactyloid pterosaurs the glenoid is distinctly saddle shaped with laterally as well as dorsally facing regions of the articular surface.
The origin of the pterosaurian glenoid must have involved the same evolutionary migration of position and orientation that has been outlined here for the avian lineage.
In contrast to the bulbous humeral head of birds, however, the humerus of pterosaurs bears a saddle-shaped facet, thus constraining the wingbeat excursion. This difference is likely a reflection of the relative structural versatility of the two wing types: an outstretched, sail-like membrane supported principally by a single digit versus a flexible airfoil composed of individual feathers, each with its own structural and functional integrity.
http://books.google.ca/books?id=8CKYxcylOycC&pg=PA243&lpg=PA243&dq=glenoid%20fossa&source=bl&ots=SopV9CAGec&sig=-gWOltWiFGplrU9tcXV8X8pBPUI&hl=en&ei=yTjS5aEBoT6lwf_uMC9Ag&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CC8Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=glenoid%20fossa&f=false

From the article on page 267 (by Frey et al.):
As in birds, the glenoid fossa in most pterosaurs is elevated by a dorsolaterally directed elongation of the coracoid and lies almost level with the vertebral column

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2008.00761.x/full
The [pterodactyl pterosaur] coracoid is about 75 per cent of the length of the scapula. It is expanded at its contact with the scapula, but has a more gentle decrease in width over its length. A small, blunt coracoid process is present, but it is not possible to tell if a groove separates it from the glenoid fossa. The sternal articulation is concave, faces posteroventrally, and lacks a posterior expansion. A large glenoid fossa faces anterodorsally with a dorsoventrally concave and anteroposteriorly convex saddle shape.
Wing skeleton. Both [pterodactyl pterosaur] wings are present in NGMC 99-07-1 (Text-figs 2, 4; Table 2). The humeri are complete though the right deltopectoral crest has become detached and rotated from its anatomical position (Text-fig. 2). The humeral head has an anteroposteriorly concave and dorsoventrally convex, saddle-shaped articulation so that it mirrors the shape of the glenoid.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microraptor#Wings_and_flight
Whether or not Microraptor could achieve powered flight or only passive gliding has been controversial. While most researchers have agreed that Microraptor had most of the anatomical characteristics expected in a flying animal, some studies have suggested that the shoulder joint was too primitive to have allowed flapping. The ancestral anatomy of theropod dinosaurs has the shoulder socket facing downward and slightly backward, making it impossible for the animals to raise their arms vertically, a prerequisite for the flapping flight stroke in birds. Some studies of maniraptoran anatomy have suggested that the shoulder socket did not shift into the bird-like position of a high, upward orientation close to the vertebral column until relatively advanced avialans like the enantiornithes appeared.[12] However, other scientists have argued that the shoulder girdle in some paravian theropods, including Microraptor, is curved in such a way that the shoulder joint could only have been positioned high on the back, allowing for a nearly vertical upstroke of the wing. This possibly advanced shoulder anatomy, combined with the presence of a propatagium linking the wrist to the shoulder (which fills the space in front of the flexed wing and may support the wing against drag in modern birds) and an alula or "bastard wing" may indicate that Microraptor was capable of true, powered flight.[13] 

It is not an easy task to get all the needed information about the shoulder joint but this is how it appears:
Rhamphoryncidae had a saddle joint. Both the glenoid fossa and the humerus head were saddle-shaped.
Basal paraves - glenoid fossa was still saddle shaped but the humerus head was bulbous.


PTEROSAUR scapula, coracoid and glenoid

http://fossiladay.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/2012-june27-rhamphorhynchus.jpg
Some pterosaur bones are quite unusual. This scapulo-coracoid is photographed from both sides. The glenoid cavity of the shoulder joint can be seen, where the humerus articulates the wing to the body.

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1475-4983.2008.00761.x/full
 A large [pterodactyl] glenoid fossa faces anterodorsally with a dorsoventrally concave and anteroposteriorly convex saddle shape.



http://saurian.blogspot.ca/2012/04/weird-world-of-theropod-scapulae.html
Scapula orientation in theropod dinosaurs is quite interesting and it is worth looking, to begin with, at what orientation is displayed in primitive reptiles. The scapula is generally held at an angle of 90 degrees to the horizontal line held by the backbone – in other words it was held in a perpendicular fashion. At the other extreme, extant birds rotated the scapula so that it lies parallel to backbone – a position also evolved by the pterosaurs.

Theropods, and non-avian dinosaurs in general (but not bird-like theropods), evolved a condition that can be described as something in between – an intermediate position if you will. The scapula is held in an oblique position laterally to the ribcage but actually determining the exact position is somewhat problematic. There are not that many fully articulated specimens that can be referred to and there is always the spectre of both taxanomic and taphonomic variation to throw yet another spanner into the works.



https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Pv7jaAzYwroXKKX3jU0AJ5aoxbFUFhcOIht6IdtYGyWIRQDQ7729gqhgHcBgwLwvRYnqvGnMYKWw6QV6_UlJNNQS5u-79WUdIgO1Ttqj6hqhgHfzz0t5e4wIiFsYyjEFaVK6XHMuGI0C/s400/rex_pex.jpg



https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9teTjD45MNGJX6Dvw6rpw-uGQaFED7bcUsu0iqsI59uPPYKpqgOwhoNIiGxkDimq_xYKPNDpyjojrzrE2y4S5TjaBN8vIHDgsUBdWPdaZzkbzkFtqPqn-NshI9HPnUNAMo9EC5bIa4ED6/s1600/glenoid+fossa.jpg
Posteriorly facing glenoid fossa


http://books.google.ca/books?id=BZ5EAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA1&lpg=PA1&dq=avian+ancestors&source=bl&ots=pDLpsHYGGU&sig=YBOgsG7ZpQIXDzzSCSiduB4FZ9s&hl=en&sa=X&ei=haVmVI_ROZD5yQTiuYDIBg&ved=0CEwQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=avian%20ancestors&f=false


http://www.researchgate.net/publication/259438884_Agnoln_and_Novas._2013._Avian_ancestors
Agnolín and Novas. 2013. Avian ancestors
In this way, the scapulae of unenlagiids lie close to the vertebral column, dorsal to the ribcage, with the flat costal surface of the scapular blade facing ventrally, a condition seen in microraptorans (i.e. Microraptor), basal avialans (e.g. Archaeopteryx, Rahonavis), and ornithothoracine birds (Senter 2006), in which the shoulder socket sits high on the back, and the margins of the glenoid are smooth, thus this surface becomes shalower and consequently more continuous with the rest of the lateral surface of scapula
(Burnham 2008). In sum, the lateral orientation of the scapular glenoid in unenlagiids
(and probably also in other basal averaptorans), together with the absence
of acute ridges delimitating the glenoid cavity, suggest that the humerus in these
taxa was able to be elevated close to the vertical plane, 
as proposed by Novas and Puerta (1997) (Figs. 5.1, 5.2).
It is important to mention that scansoriopterygids retained a caudoventrally oriented glenoid, a subrectangular coracoid with reduced biceps tubercle, and a distally fan-shaped scapular blade, all representing plesiomorphic character states in respect to paravians.
=======================================================

Here is a good overview of the shoulder girdle of modern birds:
http://www.shearwater.nl/index.php?file=kop140.php

1. Sternum / breastbone 2.Coracoid 3.Clavicles / furcula    4. Scapula 5.Joint with the wing 6.Foramen trioceum










Here is a very interesting video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toJwBgjCZMI


Friday, October 31, 2014

Dino to bird claims

What we see again and again is that there is no actual link between ground-based coelurosaur dinosaurs and arboreal paravians. They inhabit different niches (obviously) with no link between them. And even more importantly, they do not share characteristics. Almost all (if not all) the bird-like characteristics that are found in the paravians are not found in the ground-based coelurosaur dinosaurs. That is because they are not related.

So the question arises:
How in the world could there be so many claims for years and years that birds evolved from dinosaurs? 
In addition to the points noted above:

First, is the misleading convention of calling paraves "dinosaurs". So any bird-like character found in paraves is said to confirm the dino to bird theory. But paraves are not dinosaurs, they did not evolve from dinosaurs. People focus on the wrong place. The Achilles Heel of the dino to bird theory is that there is no connection between actual dinosaurs and paraves.

Next is to misinterpret the characters of actual dinosaurs as if they were bird-like or "proto" bird-like characters. Thus for example, we get the claim of "protofeathers" on ground-based coelurosaur dinosaurs, which does not stand up. 

Also we get secondarily flightless paravians being called "non-paraves maniraptors" (eg. oviraptors). As if they were transitional between actual dinosaurs and arboreal paravians. That does not stand up. They are secondarily flightless members of paraves.

And also the cladistic analyses that have been done, generally include only dinosaurs and use an inappropriate outgroup. The very significant exception to this is the James and Pourtless study, which not co-incidentally found other explanations as credible as the dino to bird theory. 

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Exaptation

In the dino to bird theory, there is a good deal of claimed exaptation.
Abducted wrists, feathers and enlarged brains are claimed to have evolved before they were used for flight. These are simply stories. These stories are made up in response to evidence that contradicts the dino to bird theory.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exaptation
Exaptation and the related term co-option describe a shift in the function of a trait during evolution. For example, a trait can evolve because it served one particular function, but subsequently it may come to serve another.

ABDUCTED WRISTS

http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2010/02/24/rspb.2009.2281.full.ht
Carpal asymmetry [abducted wrists] would have permitted avian-like folding of the forelimb in order to protect the plumage, an early advantage of the flexible, asymmetric wrist inherited by birds.
However, it is likely that mobility of the wrist was initially associated with other functions, such as predation (Padian 2001).
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/bird-wrists-evolved-among-dinosaurs-65035237/?no-ist
It had originally been proposed that this flexibility could be attributed to hunting, but the same changes are seen in maniraptorans that were herbivores and omnivores so it is unlikely that hunting provides the answer. Instead, the authors of the new study propose, the ability to fold the hands backwards would have protected the feathers of the arms. This would have prevented the feathers from getting damaged or from being in the way as the dinosaurs moved about, although the authors recognize that this hypothesis requires further evidence.
Perhaps more significant, however, is how this wing-folding mechanism may have allowed birds to take to the air. Birds do flex their wrists while flapping their wings to fly, and so it appears that the wrist flexibility that first evolved in dinosaurs was later co-opted for flight in birds. This is what is known as "exaptation," or when a previous adaptation takes on a new function. Indeed, as more is discovered about the evolution of birds, the more traits paleontologists find that evolved for one function but have been co-opted for another at a later point (feathers themselves being the most prominent
example). There is relatively little separating birds from their feathered dinosaur ancestors.

FEATHERS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exaptation
As Darwin elaborated in the last edition of The Origin of Species,[14] many complex traits evolved from earlier traits that had served different functions. By trapping air, primitive wings would have enabled birds to efficiently regulate their temperature, in part, by lifting up their feathers when too warm. Individual animals with more of this functionality would more successfully survive and reproduce, resulting in the proliferation and intensification of the trait.
Eventually, feathers became sufficiently large to enable some individuals to glide. These individuals would in turn more successfully survive and reproduce, resulting in the spread of this trait because it served a second and still more beneficial function: that of locomotion. Hence, the evolution of bird wings can be explained by a shifting in function from the regulation of temperature to flight.
http://www.livescience.com/39688-exaptation.html
Exaptation is a term used in evolutionary biology to describe a trait that has been co-opted for a use other than the one for which natural selection has built it.
It is a relatively new term, proposed by Stephen Jay Gould and Elisabeth Vrba in 1982 to make the point that a trait’s current use does not necessarily explain its historical origin. They proposed exaptation as a counterpart to the concept of adaptation.
For example, the earliest feathers belonged to dinosaurs not capable of flight. So, they must have first evolved for something else. Researchers have speculated early feathers may have been used for attracting mates or keeping warm. But later on, feathers became essential for modern birds’ flight.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microraptor#Wings_and_flight
This further supports the hypothesis that "flight feathers" that first evolved in dinosaurs for non-aerodynamic functions were later adapted to form lifting surfaces.[15]

ENLARGED BRAINS

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-23514985
Several ancient dinosaurs evolved the brainpower needed for flight long before they could take to the skies, scientists say.
Bird brains tend to be more enlarged compared to their body size than reptiles, vital for providing the vision and coordination needed for flight.
Scientists using high-resolution CT scans have now found that these "hyper-inflated" brains were present in many ancient dinosaurs, and had the neurological hardwiring needed to take to the skies. This included several bird-like oviraptorosaurs and the troodontids Zanabazar junior, which had larger brains relative to body size than that of Archaeopteryx.

OTHER
http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0028964
Placed in context of avian evolution, the grasping foot of Deinonychus and other terrestrial predatory paravians is hypothesized to have been an exaptation for the grasping foot of arboreal perching birds. Here we also describe “stability flapping”, a novel behaviour executed for positioning and stability during the initial stages of prey immobilisation, which may have been pivotal to the evolution of the flapping stroke. These findings overhaul our perception of predatory dinosaurs and highlight the role of exaptation in the evolution of novel structures and behaviours.

GENERAL
See page 261 of "Riddle of the Feathered Dragons"
http://books.google.ca/books?id=SihlpQTlVdAC&pg=PA154&lpg=PA154&dq=parasagittal+stance+for+Archaeopteryx.&source=bl&ots=jTl0YCn6be&sig=B9WKpEcJJ8Xr3U4_haeHeZFUToE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=xHMYVMWbAsGOyAT3loGQDg&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAw#v=snippet&q=exaptations&f=false

Also:
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evo.12363/full
Did preadaptations for flight precede the origin of birds (Aves)? The origin of flight in birds is one of the great evolutionary transitions and has received considerable attention in recent years (Padian and Chiappe 1998; Clarke and Middleton 2008; Dececchi and Larrson 2009; Benson and Choiniere 2013; Dececchi and Larrson 2013). The evolution of birds is often considered coincident with the origins of flight, but many traits associated with flight evolved before the origin of Aves (Padian and Chiappe 1998).

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2756958/

This suggests that the initial conquest of the air was achieved using lower metabolic rates than are characteristic of today's avian flyers. It appears that the closest non-avialan relatives of birds were physiologically preadapted for powered flight and only anatomical adaptations were involved when birds first ventured into the air. 

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Not required to become terrestrial

Here is an objection to the pterosaur to bird theory:
To derive birds from pterosaurs would require some pterosaur to give rise to terrestrial maniraptors, because non-paraves maniraptorans are terrestrial, and the bird lineage evolved within the maniraptorans
Response:
It must first be recognized that the so-called "non-paraves maniraptorans" are secondarily flightless and come after the most basal paraves*.
In the dinosaur to bird theorythe so-called "non-paraves maniraptors"  are incorrectly considered to come before (ancestral to) basal paraves.
However when we work with the idea that they are secondarily flightless (descended from basal paraves) then the objection above would not be relevant.
Pterosaurs did not give rise to terrestrial maniraptors. 
The pterosaur to bird theory proposes that flying pterosaurs gave rise to flying basal paraves.


* they are actually members of paraves

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Artist's Renderings

Here are artist's renderings of the taxa we are interested in. They show that the pterosaur is much closer to basal paraves than the dinosaur is.

BASAL PARAVES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scansoriopterygidae




DINOSAUR




PTEROSAUR

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Aerodynamics

Notice that the charts for basal Paraves and Rhamphorhynchus are very similar.
This is what you would expect if basal Paraves descended from Rhamphorhynchidae. 


Figure 3. Representative aerodynamic measurements for pitching stability and control effectiveness. Long-tailed taxa (a) have a stable equilibrium point at 10-25 (yellow line) and the tail is effective in generating pitching moments at low angles of attack (pale yellow box indicates measurable moments for given tail deflections). In short-tailed taxa (b), including extant Larus, the equilibrium point at 0-5 is unstable (red line) and the tail control effectiveness is reduced (no measurable moments for the given tail deflections). One example (Rhamphorhynchus) drawn from pterosaurs illustrates similar possibilities in a phylogenetically distant [actually quite close] taxon.

NOT CONVERGENCE
This is not convergence because ground-based dinosaurs and pterosaurs did not live in similar ways and/or similar environment, and so did not face the same environmental factors. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convergent_evolution
In morphology, analogous traits will often arise where different species live in similar ways and/or similar environment, and so face the same environmental factors. When occupying similar ecological niches (that is, a distinctive way of life) similar problems lead to similar solutions.[4]