[Pterraforming] Northern Mudstilt

What happens when you skip leg day to keep doing arm day... 

We are now at our 8th species showcase, and also my 600th image in total! _Woo! This time around we have yet another pterasimian, but this time a basal (more primitive) form. This is the northern mudstilt (Lutobaculonaso procerus), a wading pterosaur native to the Atlantic coast of North America. Notice the lack of visible ears, eyes that are placed far back on the skull, and more "basic" non hand like feet. These are more basal traits in Pterasimians. At the same time the wing membrane is still absent from the legs, the first wing digit is pointed forward, and the tail is stiff and supports the wing membrane, things that are present in all pterasimian forms. Essentially these are the lemurs of the pterasimian family. Mudstilts are built like sandpipers, and feed in a similar manner. They are much, much bigger than most avian waders, and because of it rarely compete with them. Being waders, they have the typical long-limbed/beaked build, with long, spread fingers to keep from sinking into the muck.

Anyone who digs worms or clams in Maine will tell you the best places to look for them are in big mudflats that are created by the tides. Here, when the tides recede, the mud is exposed, and the invertebrates who reside in them can be more easily accessed. On the coasts of Pterearth, the circumstances are no different. Burrowing several feet below the mud, many of the worms and clams stay just out of reach for most probing beaks. However the northern mudstilt, equipped with a staggering four foot long beak, can reach in deeper than any bird could ever hope to, plucking up the invertebrates with relative ease. When the tide recedes, flocks of these pterosaurs will gather, probing the soft mud for tasty morsels. They must be quick, however, as when the tide returns it creates a strong undertow that can easily knock these tall pterosaurs off their wings. Here, an adult male has stopped for a quick scratch. Like mammals, pterasimians fall victim to many fur crawling parasites, including the lowly flee. When healthy, they can be managed, but if they fall ill or become immunocompromised the problem can quickly grow out of control. Luckily for this male he is quite healthy, so after some thorough preening from himself and his flock mates, his flea problem will be a thing of the past... or at least until new unwanted guests jump aboard. In the mean time, the tide has begun coming in, so after his scratch he will need to take flight with the others before the water gets too high. 

-And as always, critique is highly welcome. Please feel free to indulge in the scientific jargon that is speculative biology with me!-

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All current Pterraforming info and pictures can be found here in the Pterraforming folder of my gallery. You can also find it under #pterraforming #pterasimian and #homopteranus

Chupacabeak (a spearbeak/iaculumarchid)
Raptodinosauroid (A ruling raptor/tyrranoraptorid)
Spotted sealbill (A sealbill/pteropinniped)
Black Crested Pterogorgon (A "raptor" pterasimian)
Southern Whalebone Biter (A pterasimian)
King Drayix (A regemtaurosaurid)
Bornean Gorillawing and Ferntail (A "gorilla" pterasimian and frondtail-raptor/feugeraraptorid)

ORIGUNUL SPESHIEZ DONUT STEEL!!! _/s