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SEM Observation of the Wing Membrane of Beipiaopterus chenianus (Pterosauria)
Author(s) -
Junchang LÜ,
Yoshitsugu KOBAYASHI,
Chongxi YUAN,
Shu'an JI,
Qiang JI
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
acta geologica sinica ‐ english edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.444
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1755-6724
pISSN - 1000-9515
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-6724.2005.tb00929.x
Subject(s) - wing , membrane , biology , scanning electron microscope , anatomy , optics , physics , biochemistry , thermodynamics
The cross‐section and surface structures of wing membranes from the ctenochasmatid pterosaur Beipiaopterus chenianus were observed through a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the wing membrane contains a high density of blood vessels, implying strong thermoregulatory function, similar to that of a bat wing membrane. This is the first comparison of the microstructures of pterosaur wing membranes with those of the modern bat. It is inferred that a bat‐like physiology exists, at least in relatively small pterosaurs suggesting that these pterosaurs were warm‐blooded, active fliers.