Some articles useful for Dragon anatomy

[Tamara Henson]

I found a website on pterosaurs that has a few recent articles that could have some clues on dragon anatomy. The articles in question have information relevant to all leathery winged flyers, not just spindly pterosaurs.

My first thought was that these would be very relevant for the science of Pern. The first article is a very good abstract on the contrast between feathered and membranous wings. Seems dragons are perfect for large-sized flyers. Then on the differences on wing thickness and the advantage of large sizes in flying animals.

Feathers vs Membranes

http://pterosaur-net.blogspot.com/20...membranes.html

Thick vs Thin Wings

http://pterosaur-net.blogspot.com/20...ick-wings.html


The Beauty of Big

http://pterosaur-net.blogspot.com/20...ty-of-big.html

Another interesting article is one comparing the growth of juvenile pterosaurs, dinosaurs and mammals. This may give some clues on the changes in dragon anatomy from hatching to adulthood. Interestingly artist usually draw baby Pernese dragons as miniatures of the adults while Anne implies they are quite different in appearance.

Comparing Juvenile Animal Development

http://pterosaur-net.blogspot.com/20...-ontogeny.html

Hope these are of use here.

By the way I finished the Pernese Pack for Zoo Tycoon 2

http://forums.srellim.org/showthread.php?t=8187

[skywaterblue]

I quite like this blog for all sorts of reference material for Pernese dragons. Speaking of the anatomy of the hatchlings: the more time passes, the more I think that concept piece of hatchling Ramoth is excellent work. If Pern's dragons are truly meant to be more naturally bipedal than quadrupedal, it makes sense for the hatchlings to have an easier time of it before bulking out during their heavy growth spurt.

That ungainliness so often mentioned - particularly of the hatchlings - might go a long way towards explaining why they don't fly the dragonets until a certain age, even though firelizards are precocial, and presumably Kitty Ping didn't change the gross anatomy all that much. They don't look like they can sustain flight until their sheer weight forces the forelimbs to bulk out.