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While reading that the cranial crest of the pterosaur Thalassodromeus helped regulate body temperature, I pondered another potential use. While gliding near the water, its crested head might act as a rudder for the large-wingspan animal. Perhaps the crest also included nerves that allowed Thalassodromeus to sense fleeing fish.

Steve M. Adams
Plano, Texas

Perhaps the large crest was for maintaining level flight when catching a fish. Instead of a large fish throwing the flyer over, the crest would absorb this change in momentum.

Leslie Peterson
Pasadena, Calif.

I was intrigued by Thalassodromeus ‘ swoop-and-scoop feeding style. This is exactly how many shore birds of today fish–for example, the black skimmer ( Rynchos niger ).

Ram Vasudev
Pasadena, Calif.

Black skimmers are the modern birds that the scientists used as a model for the pterosaur’s feeding style. –S. Perkins