1997•Journal of Vertebrate PaleontologyRequires access
Terrestrial locomotion of pterosaurs: a reconstruction based onPteraichnustrackways
S. Christopher Bennett
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Abstract
A reconstruction of the terrestrial locomotion of pterosaurs is presented, based on Pteraichnus trackways. The pterosaurs that made the trackways were walking quadrupedally with a digitigrade manus and plantigrade pes at approximately 1 m/s. Their posture was erect rather than sprawling or semi-erect. The trackways suggest that bird-like bipedal and sprawling to semi-erect postures, and the restrictive interpretations of limb and girdle joint mobilities upon which they are based, may be incorrect.