Quadrupedal water launch capability demonstrated in small Late Jurassic pterosaurs
Abstract Pterosaurs thrived in and around water for 160 + million years but their take-off from water is poorly understood.A purportedly low floating position and forward centre of gravity barred pterosaurs from a bird-like bipedal running launch.Quadrupedal water launch similar to extant water-feeding birds and bats has been proposed for the large