I'm in ur tv, flappin wif terasorz

Here's what I know about pterosaurs:

(1) most of them were full of air

(2) some of them were rilly big

(3) they were worthy adversaries for WWI-era flying machines.

Despite this dearth of knowledge--or perhaps because of it!--I will be on TV talking about pterosaurs, at least briefly, in EVOLVE: Flight, premiering on the History Channel on Tuesday, Sept. 2. Check local listings for showtimes.

Calling all freaks now

Hey, a commenter on my emu dissection post had a good question: what's the deal with wing claws in ratites? Are they inherited directly from other theropods--i.e., there was never a time when the lineage leading to ratites didn't have hand claws--or were they lost and then re-evolved within ratites, or what? Also, anyone know anything about their function, or lack thereof? Darren, Tom, Randy, Sarah, all and sundry--time to show what you know and expose me for the ignorant poseur I surely am.