Bat/pterosaur wing shape

[Mouse]

I was wondering over this picture....

 

 

Do Bats, also have different wing shapes like this?

[ttyo888]

Most Bat wings look all the same to me. For pterosaurs it's still under speculation.

 

Any Bat Experts care to tell us more?

[Mokele]

They have very different shapes. Some bats have wing membranes that join at the ankle, others at the knee, and the aspect ratio can vary a lot - some are long and thin, others short and broad.

[Mouse]

What's the advantage of having a broad wing or a narrow wing?

[Mokele]

Narrow wings have high lift-to-drag, leading to very economical flight. However, broad wings have much higher maneuverability. That's why active aerial predators like hawks have broad wings, while long-distance seabirds have long, narrow wings.

[ttyo888]

Interesting....

 

but long, narrow wings will need wind or else they can't fly right?

[Mokele]

Long wings can work just fine in still air - look at gulls. It's just a question of being more economical vs. more nimble.