Re: [DMG] Archaeopteryx ecological niche
62 views
Skip to first unread message
Tim Williams
Apr 22, 2026, 4:59:07 AM (5 days ago) Apr 22
to DinosaurMa...@googlegroups.com
I totally agree with O'Connor and Clark that _Archaeopteryx was most likely a terrestrial forager, as indicated by the hindlimb proportions. But I take issue with this statement:
"Limitations in the flight apparatus, in particular the range of motion of the forelimb
and limited musculature inferred from the pectoral girdle, suggest launching from the
ground from a standstill was unlikely. It is more likely that _Archaeopteryx_ could only become airborne launching from a run, from an elevated take off point, or possibly utilizing headwinds similar to some extant birds that utilize bounding flight [39, 45, 117]. Grasping abilities in the hand retained from non-volant ancestors suggest elevation was gained through scansorial behaviors [8]"
I don't agree at all. The impulse for a stationary take-off comes from leaping using the hindlimbs, just like in modern birds. No running launch is required, or an elevated take-off point.
"Limitations in the flight apparatus, in particular the range of motion of the forelimb
and limited musculature inferred from the pectoral girdle, suggest launching from the
ground from a standstill was unlikely. It is more likely that _Archaeopteryx_ could only become airborne launching from a run, from an elevated take off point, or possibly utilizing headwinds similar to some extant birds that utilize bounding flight [39, 45, 117]. Grasping abilities in the hand retained from non-volant ancestors suggest elevation was gained through scansorial behaviors [8]"
I don't agree at all. The impulse for a stationary take-off comes from leaping using the hindlimbs, just like in modern birds. No running launch is required, or an elevated take-off point.
Besides which, the climbing (scansorial) adaptations of _Archaeopteryx_ were risible. Yalden (1985) is cited by O'Connor and Clark in support of climbing abilities, because the manual claws were flat and sharp. No mention of Dececchi and Larsson (2011 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0022292. ) who totally refuted this notion of _Archaeopteryx_ as a quadrupedal climber.
I'm also not entirely convinced that the hallux of _Archaeopteryx_ was "reversed", as O'Connor and Clark claim. But Rauhut et al. (2018 doi 10.7717/peerj.4191) interpreted the hallux as being "somewhat opposable", based on the apparent posteromedial attachment of metatarsal I on metatarsal II, plus the mid-shaft curvature of metatarsal I that would deflect the distal end more posteriorly. But this condition is not "reversed" - it's incipient at best.
I'm also not entirely convinced that the hallux of _Archaeopteryx_ was "reversed", as O'Connor and Clark claim. But Rauhut et al. (2018 doi 10.7717/peerj.4191) interpreted the hallux as being "somewhat opposable", based on the apparent posteromedial attachment of metatarsal I on metatarsal II, plus the mid-shaft curvature of metatarsal I that would deflect the distal end more posteriorly. But this condition is not "reversed" - it's incipient at best.
-------------
On Wed, Apr 22, 2026 at 7:16 AM Ben Creisler <bcre...@gmail.com> wrote:
Ben Creisler
bcre...@gmail.com
A new paper:
Free pdf:
Jingmai K. O’Connor & Alexander D. Clark (2026)
The ecology of Archaeopteryx
Discover Ecology 2: 12
doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44396-026-00026-z
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44396-026-00026-z
AI generated summary:
The evolution of flight in birds is a critical area of study, particularly in understanding how early avians like Archaeopteryx adapted to their ecological niches. This research provides new insights into Archaeopteryx's locomotor capabilities, revealing it was a versatile forager capable of limited powered flight, gliding, and terrestrial movement, which highlights its unique role in the transition from dinosaurs to modern birds.
Abstract:
As the oldest known dinosaur to use aerodynamic surfaces comprised of asymmetrical feathers for flight, Archaeopteryx undoubtedly occupied a unique ecological niche unlike that utilized by closely related fully terrestrial non-avian theropods, more derived Mesozoic birds, and extant taxa. New specimens together with computed tomography data elucidate how the ecology of Archaeopteryx is shaped both by its position as a basal avian close to the terrestrial-volant transition and its environment. The size of the feathered wings, primary vane asymmetry, and the large tertial tract all indicate Archaeopteryx was capable of volant locomotion. The reversed hallux, absent in closely related non-avian terrestrial dinosaurs, indicates incipient perching abilities, whereas the proportions of the footpads and morphology of the scales indicate the soft tissue of the foot was predominantly adapted for terrestrial locomotion. Curved manual claws, well developed articular surfaces on the minor digit phalanges, separate major and minor digits, and manual proportions all indicate ancestral grasping abilities were retained and possibly exapted for climbing. All known specimens fit a growth curve suggesting somatic maturity was achieved over a protracted period although even the smallest known individuals preserve wing feathers indicating aerial capabilities. Diet is unknown but avian features of the rostrum indicate increased rostral sensitivity and oral dexterity, which suggests a diet targeting small, energy rich foods. Together these morphologies reveal a generalist bird that foraged on the ground and utilized a diverse set of locomotor behaviors including incipient powered flight.
On Wed, Apr 22, 2026 at 7:16 AM Ben Creisler <bcre...@gmail.com> wrote:
Ben Creisler
bcre...@gmail.com
A new paper:
Free pdf:
Jingmai K. O’Connor & Alexander D. Clark (2026)
The ecology of Archaeopteryx
Discover Ecology 2: 12
doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44396-026-00026-z
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44396-026-00026-z
AI generated summary:
The evolution of flight in birds is a critical area of study, particularly in understanding how early avians like Archaeopteryx adapted to their ecological niches. This research provides new insights into Archaeopteryx's locomotor capabilities, revealing it was a versatile forager capable of limited powered flight, gliding, and terrestrial movement, which highlights its unique role in the transition from dinosaurs to modern birds.
Abstract:
As the oldest known dinosaur to use aerodynamic surfaces comprised of asymmetrical feathers for flight, Archaeopteryx undoubtedly occupied a unique ecological niche unlike that utilized by closely related fully terrestrial non-avian theropods, more derived Mesozoic birds, and extant taxa. New specimens together with computed tomography data elucidate how the ecology of Archaeopteryx is shaped both by its position as a basal avian close to the terrestrial-volant transition and its environment. The size of the feathered wings, primary vane asymmetry, and the large tertial tract all indicate Archaeopteryx was capable of volant locomotion. The reversed hallux, absent in closely related non-avian terrestrial dinosaurs, indicates incipient perching abilities, whereas the proportions of the footpads and morphology of the scales indicate the soft tissue of the foot was predominantly adapted for terrestrial locomotion. Curved manual claws, well developed articular surfaces on the minor digit phalanges, separate major and minor digits, and manual proportions all indicate ancestral grasping abilities were retained and possibly exapted for climbing. All known specimens fit a growth curve suggesting somatic maturity was achieved over a protracted period although even the smallest known individuals preserve wing feathers indicating aerial capabilities. Diet is unknown but avian features of the rostrum indicate increased rostral sensitivity and oral dexterity, which suggests a diet targeting small, energy rich foods. Together these morphologies reveal a generalist bird that foraged on the ground and utilized a diverse set of locomotor behaviors including incipient powered flight.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages