British paleontologists have discovered a new species of pterosaur on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. This reptile lived from approximately 168 million years ago to the Middle Jurassic Period, 166 million years ago. At the time, scientists believed that pterosaurs existed only in modern-day China. Therefore, even in dinosaur-rich Scotland, it was quite a surprise when the carcass of a flying reptile appeared. Regarding the new pterosaurs, The research began on February 5th. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.
[Related: Dinosaur Cove reveals a petite pterosaur species.]
meet septera
The new species is named Theoptera evansae. This is the Scottish Gaelic word for mist or ‘cheò’, a reference to the island’s Gaelic name ‘Eilean a’ Cheò’ (Isle of Mist). Evansey excellent scientist Susan E. Evansespecially for her many years of paleontological and morphological research on the Isle of Skye.
Scientists at the University of Bristol in the UK used a CT scanner to create a digital model of the fossil and believe it probably had a wingspan of about 3 to 5 feet. It was probably a pterosaur species between the primitive and advanced stages of evolution. Pterosaurs of the Middle Jurassic period underwent several major anatomical changes.Early small crow-sized pterosaurs Dimorphodon gave way to later pterosaurs such as pteranodon, About the wingspan of a small airplane.
septera Probably part of it Pterosaurs of the Darwinoptera clade. The findings revealed the following: clade– or groups of organisms that evolved from a common ancestor – are much more diverse than previously thought. This clade may have lasted more than 25 million years, and species within the clade spread throughout the world.
“septera It helps narrow down the timing of some key events in the evolution of flying reptiles. “Most of its relatives came from China, so its appearance in the Middle Jurassic in Britain was a complete surprise,” said study co-author Paul Barrett, a vertebrate paleontologist at the Natural History Museum. stated in a statement. “This shows that the advanced group of flying reptiles to which it belongs appeared earlier than we thought and quickly acquired a near-global distribution.”
New discovery for the first time in 15 years
The researchers used specimens of the reptile’s wings, spine, shoulders and legs, which were first discovered embedded in coastal rocks in 2006. Lou Arrington-Jones, a fossil engineer at the Natural History Museum, approached the specimen. 2 years This is to prepare the fossils for study, as the rocks on the island are very hard and the bones of the fossils are delicate. According to the authorsThe specimen is the most complete pterosaur fossil found in Britain since paleontologist Mary Anning discovered the first pterosaur fossil there. 1828.
Pterosaur fossils are often found broken, distorted, or incomplete. Like birds, they have hollow bones that were easily crushed and distorted over millions of years. Records of pterosaurs from both the Jurassic and Late Cretaceous periods (approximately 145 to 66 million years ago) in Britain are sparse. septera It helps fill some of the evolutionary gaps.
“During that period, septera “This period is one of the most important in the evolution of pterosaurs, and it is also the period with the lowest number of specimens, demonstrating its importance,” said study co-author Liz Martin, a palaeontologist at the University of Bristol.・Mr. Silverstone said. stated in a statement. “We found more bones embedded in the rock, some of which were essential to identifying the type of pterosaur.” septera This was an even better discovery than originally thought. This brings us one step closer to understanding when and where more advanced pterosaurs evolved. ”
[Related: This flightless pterosaur ancestor had enviable claws and a raptor-like beak.]
A time when pterosaurs ruled the sky
meanwhile insect Pterosaurs were the first animals to fly, and pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to fly. Although pterosaurs are not technically dinosaurs, they are evolutionary relatives of dinosaurs.The largest pterosaur known to scientists is Quetzalcoatlus nothropi, was discovered in Texas. Everything is bigger in Texas, so this pterosaur had a wingspan of about 32 to 36 feet. Australia’s largest pterosaur Tapungaka Shawi, It has a wingspan of approximately 22 feet.
Steve Brusatte, paleontologist and evolutionary biologist at the University of Edinburgh told the BBC this is septera It was probably unique to Scotland.
“This was a time before birds existed, and pterosaurs ruled the skies.” said Mr. Bruset., was not involved in the study. “This study shows that pterosaurs were common animals that soared above dinosaurs in Scotland.”