David Unwin promotes a ‘naked’ pterosaur hypothesis on YouTube
A David Unwin YouTube video from 2020
(link below) showed many pterosaur specimens with purported ‘integument’ – but not according to Dr Unwin.
Unwin’s portion starts @18:35 and ends @33:00.
Unwin argues
that the putative loose fiber and filaments found on an around the skulls of pterosaurs are possibly homologous to those that create the crest. Only possibly. He’s not sure.
Unfortunately, Unwin is one of the academic hold-outs who refuse to consider or test the possibility that pterosaurs were lepidosaurs like Huehuecuetzpalli (Peters 2007), with dorsal crests liked Iguana, Sphenodon (Fig 1), Cosesaurus and Longisquama (Fig 2). The latter two preserved soft tissue = integument similar to that found in pterosaurs (Fig 3).
Figure 6. Green iguana demonstrating the curling of pedal digit 5 in tendril-toed arboreal lepidosaurs, as hypothesized in the BES SC111 specimen and pterosaurs.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/iguana-toes588.jpg?w=300″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/iguana-toes588.jpg?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-35955″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/iguana-toes588.jpg” alt=”Figure 6. Green iguana demonstrating the curling of pedal digit 5 in tendril-toed arboreal lepidosaurs, as hypothesized in the BES SC111 specimen and pterosaurs.” width=”584″ height=”494″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/iguana-toes588.jpg?w=584&h=494 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/iguana-toes588.jpg?w=150&h=127 150w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/iguana-toes588.jpg?w=300&h=254 300w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/iguana-toes588.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 1. Green iguana demonstrating the curling of pedal digit 5 in tendril-toed arboreal lepidosaurs, as hypothesized in the BES SC111 specimen and pterosaurs.
No one knows why academic hold-outs limit themselves
They keep their blinders on whenever non-academic workers present evidence. In this way they appear to follow S Christopher Benett’s curse: “You will not be published and if you are published you will not be cited. Yes, he really said that, and no one, including Dr Unwin, told Bennett he had gone too far.
Given such medieval attitudes, I would not choose to be an academic.
Figure 1. Click to enlarge. The origin and evolution of Longisquama’s “feathers” – actually just an elaboration of the same dorsal frill found in Sphenodon, Iguana and Basiliscus. Here the origin can be found in the basal tritosaur squamate, Huehuecuetzpalli and becomes more elaborate in Cosesaurus and Longisquama.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/longisquama-plumes1.jpg?w=130″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/longisquama-plumes1.jpg?w=444″ class=”size-full wp-image-16065″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/longisquama-plumes1.jpg” alt=”Figure 1. Click to enlarge. The origin and evolution of Longisquama’s “feathers” – actually just an elaboration of the same dorsal frill found in Sphenodon, Iguana and Basiliscus. Here the origin can be found in the basal tritosaur squamate, Huehuecuetzpalli and becomes more elaborate in Cosesaurus and Longisquama.” width=”584″ height=”1348″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/longisquama-plumes1.jpg?w=584&h=1348 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/longisquama-plumes1.jpg?w=65&h=150 65w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/longisquama-plumes1.jpg?w=130&h=300 130w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/longisquama-plumes1.jpg?w=768&h=1773 768w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/longisquama-plumes1.jpg 800w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 2. The origin and evolution of Longisquama’s “feathers” – actually just an elaboration of the same dorsal frill found in Sphenodon, Iguana and Basiliscus. Here the origin can be found in the basal tritosaur squamate, Huehuecuetzpalli and becomes more elaborate in Cosesaurus and Longisquama.
Unwin’s video concludes:
1. “Branched pycnofibers (protofeathers) are preservational artefacts (partially decayed, unravelled aktinofibrils)”
2. “dermal collagen bundles present in the wings (aktinofibrils), cranial crests and the integument covering the neck and body have been misinterpreted as external filamentous structures (pycnofibres)”.
3. “the pterosaur integument was essentially glabrous (naked).”
What Dr Unwin omitted from his presentation
were the integuments (Fig 3) of Sharovipteryx and Longisquama (Fig 2), both of which he published on with co-author Mike Benton in 2003. Cited below.
Figure 1. Note the neck skin (integument) of Sharovipteryx, a pterosaur sister.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sharovipteryx-skull588.jpg?w=202″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sharovipteryx-skull588.jpg?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-9551″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sharovipteryx-skull588.jpg” alt=”Figure 1. Note the neck skin (integument) of Sharovipteryx, a pterosaur sister.” width=”584″ height=”866″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sharovipteryx-skull588.jpg?w=584&h=866 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sharovipteryx-skull588.jpg?w=101&h=150 101w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sharovipteryx-skull588.jpg?w=202&h=300 202w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/sharovipteryx-skull588.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 3. Note the neck skin (integument) of Sharovipteryx, a pterosaur sister.
This date is interesting
because Unwin and Benton failed to identify these two as pterosaaur relatives. Instead they labeled them ‘enigmatic’. In other words, Unwin and Benton gave up. They did not repeat the Peters 2000 experiment to confirm, refute or modify the earlier hypothesis.
If you’re a scientist, try not to give up or quit, ignore or omit published citations.
Remember everything that gets published gets put on a permanent record.
In 2023
this blogpost featured some news on pterosaur integument.
References from the video
Lü J, Fucha X and Chen J 2010. A new scaphognathine pterosaur from the Middle Jurassic of western Liaoning, China. Acta Geoscientica Sinica. 31(2): 263–266.
Li et al (7 co-authors) 2014. Melanosome evolution indicates a key physiological shift within feathered dinosaurs. Nature 507: doi:10.1038/nature12973
Other references
Peters D 2000b.A Redescription of Four Prolacertiform Genera and Implications for Pterosaur Phylogenesis. Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia 106 (3): 293–336.
Peters D 2007. The origin and radiation of the Pterosauria. In D. Hone ed. Flugsaurier. The Wellnhofer pterosaur meeting, 2007, Munich, Germany. p. 27.
Unwin DM, Alifanov VR and Benton MJ 2003. Enigmatic small reptiles from the Middle-Late Triassic of Kyrgyzstan. In: Benton M.J., Shishkin M.A. & Unwin D.M. (Eds) The Age of Dinosaurs in Russia and Mongolia. Cambridge: Cambridge U. Press: 177-186.
wiki/Sharovipteryx
wiki/Huehuecuetzpalli
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2024/12/10/david-unwin-promotes-a-naked-pterosaur-hypothesis-on-youtube/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Online: | |
| Visits: | 1,658,926,354 |
| Stories: | 8,303,344 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
