Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Speculative biology is simultaneously a science and form of art in which one speculates on the possibilities of life and evolution. What could the world look like if dinosaurs had never gone extinct? What could alien lifeforms look like? What kinds of plants and animals might exist in the far future? These questions and more are tackled by speculative biologists, and the Speculative Evolution welcomes all relevant ideas, inquiries, and world-building projects alike. With a member base comprising users from across the world, our community is the largest and longest-running place of gathering for speculative biologists on the web.

While unregistered users are able to browse the forum on a basic level, registering an account provides additional forum access not visible to guests as well as the ability to join in discussions and contribute yourself! Registration is free and instantaneous.

Join our community today!

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
More pterosaurs in non-KT worlds
Topic Started: Jun 29 2010, 08:07 AM (1,144 Views)
Carlos
Member Avatar
Adveho in me Lucifero
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
"Incidentally, a Late Cretaceous (!) non-pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Candeleros Formation of Argentina was reported at a pterosaur conference held in Munich in 2007. However, we don't yet know whether it was an anurognathid or not."

- Darren Naish

Not only was I right to suggest the presence of anurognathids in the Late Cretaceous, if this isn't an anurognathid it would mean pterosaurs weren't going to die out anyway after all.
Lemuria:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/

Terra Alternativa:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/

My Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/Carliro

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Replies:
Carlos
Member Avatar
Adveho in me Lucifero
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
They likely wouldn't do what woodpeckers do, unless they developed stronger skulls. Instead, Dsungaripterus like jaws to tear off pieces of wood would evolve more easily
Lemuria:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/

Terra Alternativa:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/

My Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/Carliro

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Holben
Member Avatar
Rumbo a la Victoria

Rhamphorynchids may have prised off bark then squeezed their beaks in to get at grubs- perhaps this behaviour could be present in others too?
Time flows like a river. Which is to say, downhill. We can tell this because everything is going downhill rapidly. It would seem prudent to be somewhere else when we reach the sea.

"It is the old wound my king. It has never healed."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Rick Raptor
Member Avatar
Adolescent
 *  *  *  *  *
Holbenilord
Jun 30 2010, 12:49 PM
Rhamphorynchids may have prised off bark then squeezed their beaks in to get at grubs- perhaps this behaviour could be present in others too?
That was a scene in Walking with Dinosaurs, wasn´t it?
I think it was pure speculation.


I like JohnFaa´s idea of a woodpecker-like dsungariperoid (yesterday and today I looked through Mark Witton´s flickr account to update my pterosaur knowledge and the heavily-built dsungaripterids with their crushing jaws were my favourites).

It would probably need pretty large hands with strong claws because unlike woodpeckers it probably wouldn´t have stiffened tail feathers to support themselves on the vertical surface of a tree.
[My DeviantArt account]
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Carlos
Member Avatar
Adveho in me Lucifero
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
I wouldn't say as much dsugaripterids themselves as much as basal pterosaurs with beaks similar to their's; pterodactyloids in general weren't good climbers, except for tapejarids.

If said group evolved from non-pterodactyloids stock chances are it would have tails to begin with, so it would just be a matter of making said tails stronger and wider
Lemuria:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/

Terra Alternativa:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/

My Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/Carliro

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Toad of Spades
Member Avatar
Clorothod
 *  *  *  *  *  *
What do you think of the "drill-beaked" pterosaurs? Of course their beak couldn't be too twisted to the side, or else they couldn't open their mouths. They could just poke their beak in the tree, twist until their necks couldn't twist further, pull the beak out, put it back in the hole, then twist again. The process could be done quite quickly. Relatively simple and effective.
Edited by Toad of Spades, Jul 1 2010, 11:43 AM.
Sorry Link, I don't give credit. Come back when you're a little...MMMMMM...Richer.

Bread is an animal and humans are %90 aluminum.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Carlos
Member Avatar
Adveho in me Lucifero
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *
Maybe they could have a straight bill with structures along the jaws to help in "drilling"?
Lemuria:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/

Terra Alternativa:
http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/

My Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/Carliro

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Cephylus
Member Avatar
Torando of Terror
 *  *  *  *  *  *  *
i'd just suggest woodpecker chipping, but drilling? that'll be weird...
Spoiler: click to toggle
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Holben
Member Avatar
Rumbo a la Victoria

Rick Raptor
Jun 30 2010, 01:08 PM
Holbenilord
Jun 30 2010, 12:49 PM
Rhamphorynchids may have prised off bark then squeezed their beaks in to get at grubs- perhaps this behaviour could be present in others too?
That was a scene in Walking with Dinosaurs, wasn´t it?
I think it was pure speculation.
Indeed. :nodyes:
It was based off the beak shape and resource shortage on the islands... it seems reasonable.

Time flows like a river. Which is to say, downhill. We can tell this because everything is going downhill rapidly. It would seem prudent to be somewhere else when we reach the sea.

"It is the old wound my king. It has never healed."
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Toad of Spades
Member Avatar
Clorothod
 *  *  *  *  *  *
JohnFaa
Jul 1 2010, 05:53 AM
Maybe they could have a straight bill with structures along the jaws to help in "drilling"?
Actually that seems more practical than a corkscrewed jaw. This way they wouldn't need to evolve their beak as much and complications from feeding wouldn't come about.
Sorry Link, I don't give credit. Come back when you're a little...MMMMMM...Richer.

Bread is an animal and humans are %90 aluminum.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Alternative Evolution · Next Topic »
Add Reply