combines replies and *long* on Quetzalcoatlus

[davewitley]

> {Catlady Rita}
> 
> Quetzalcoatlus northrupi and other pterosaurs are reptiles, not 
birds(and
> not dinosaurs, but I can't remember why).
> 
> {Anne}
> 
> I think they're not considered dinosaurs because the skeletal 
structure is
> closer to what we identify as a modern reptilian structure as 
opposed to the
> distinct structure of dinosuars (which had the beginning hints of 
things
> like bird-shaped hip bones and the like, but were mostly reptile 
otherwise).
> Also...I THINK scientists decided that most dinos were warm 
blooded--and
> reptiles are cold blooded as a general rule...so that might be a
> consideration in the classification...I haven't read up in dinos 
in about 8
> years, so...*shrugs*

The family tree I have (admittedly quite old now and it is still a 
developing field I believe) has pterosaurs in the archosaurs along 
with dinosaurs (and birds) and crocodilians, and thus further 
separated from other groups such as squamata (lizards and snakes), 
turtles, mammals and their ancestors, and the marine reptiles.