Bones of Air

Paleontologist Stephanie Baumgart tells us about the fascinating independent evolution of flight at three times in evolutionary history, exemplified by pterosaurs, birds, and bats. She then tells us about her own fascinating work on air sacs in pterosaur wings, discovered using careful use of CAT scans (like the ones you get at the doctor’s office). Air sacs probably helped pterosaurs fly. Stephanie explains why we think this is so, and discusses the related story of air sacs in modern birds.

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Bones of Air