Newly identified prehistoric pterosaur will help us understand evolution of flying reptiles

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We’ve just announced the discovery of a new species of pterosaur nearly 15 years after a fossil was found on the Isle of Skye.

Metadata

Provider:

The Conversation

URL:

https://theconversation.com/newly-identified-prehistoric-pterosaur-will-help-us-understand-evolution-of-flying-reptiles-222632

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Information

Tags:

Fossil, Isle, Jurassic, Dinosaur, Noise, Cladach, Early Jurassic, Skeleton, Gaelic, Atmosphere, Animal, Vectidraco, Cretaceous, Natural history, Pteranodon

Geotags:

CT, UK, EUROPE

Summary

Key Points:

We’ve just announced the discovery of a new species of pterosaur nearly 15 years after a fossil was found on the Isle of Skye.
It is one of the most complete pterosaur fossils to be found in the UK since palaeontologist Mary Anning unearthed the first from the Dorset coast in 1828.
Pterosaur fossils are known worldwide but their remains are rare in comparison to those of their land and water-based relatives.
This is due to the fragile nature of their skeletons, which are composed of thin-walled, hollow bones.

But then we decided to examine the fossil using the university’s CT scanner.
This pterosaur species is important because of the quality of preservation and its age.
It is one of only a handful of pterosaur skeletons from the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 167 million years ago.
It also shows how new technology can is helping to unearth the mysteries of Earth’s ancient past.

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Paul Barrett is affiliated with The Linnean Society (Trustee). Elizabeth Martin-Silverstone does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.