Marvelous Sharov's-Wing

Sharovipteryx mirabilis

(Gans, C., Darevksi, I., and Tatarinov, L.P., 1987)

    Sharovipteryx mirabilis is a large, gliding prolacertiform, a distant relative of the lizard-like Prolacerta. S. mirabilis is an adept climber, but its tiny, single-clawed arms are useless in scaling trees, it's legs, however, are quite well developed. S. mirabilis does not so much climb up trees as run up them, the sharp claws on its feet gripping wood easily and propelling the animal far above the ground.

    However fascinating  is S. mirabilis's method of getting into trees, any other behavior this animal exhibits is eclipsed by its most striking trait.  S. mirabilis is a glider.  Supported by uropatagia, flaps of skin stretched along its hindlimbs from the ankles to the thighs, S. mirabilis can transform a graceless plunge from the treetops into a tightly controlled dive.  While in the air, S. miribilis is amazingly agile and quick, utilizing the smaller patagia on its ankles and thighs to steer.
 
 

    Thanks to George Olshevsky, James R. Cunningham, Larry Febo, Gareth Dyke, David Unwin, Ken Kinman, T. Mike Keesey, Nick Pharris for helping to interpreting this weird fossil. Thanks to Nick Pharris for help with a translation of the name of "Sharovipteryx" ("Sharov's-Wing" not "Sharov's-Finger").  Also, thanks to Jordan Mallon for his critique of the final picture (which lead to a makeover for the ferns).  Above all, thanks to David Peters for mailing me a list of all of the dermal structures of Sharovipteryx.  That list was enormously helpful.

Other sites containing pertinent information:

• David Peter's Sharovipteryx mirabilis
• T. Mike Keesey'sSharovipteryx mirabilis page
• KJ Caley's Sharovipteryxpainting.