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25 February 2022.
Introduction:
Researchers have discovered new species of Pterosaurs, who were the first vertebrates to evolve flight. The species include the largest flying animals in history of Earth.
Facts
- Some of the last-surviving species were of the size of airplanes.
- Pterosaurs were earlier thought to be restricted to small body sizes with wingspans of 1.6-1.8 m, from Triassic origins to throughout Jurassic period.
- But the newly-discovered species named “Dearc sgiathanach”, is the largest Jurassic Pterosaur yet known. Its bones and skull are the longest of any other Jurassic specimens.
About Dearc Sgiathanach
- Dearc Sgiathanach is the flying reptile, with wingspans of over 2.5 m or perhaps larger over 3 m.
- It belonged to a group of early pterosaurs called Rhamphorhynchidae and lived around 170 million years ago.
- It is the biggest pterosaur known from the Jurassic period.
Who discovered the skeleton?
- Spectacularly preserved skeleton of the new species was discovered by team member Amelia Penny in 2017 at Rubha nam Brathairean on the Isle of Skye, Scotland.
- It is the best-preserved skeleton of a pterosaur ever found in Scotland. Pterosaurs preserved in such quality are rare and are usually reserved to some of the rock formations in China and Brazil.
How was study conducted?
- CT scans of skull of Dearc sgiathanach revealed large optic lobes, indicating that species would have had good eyesight.
- To achieve flight, they had hollow bones with thin bone wall.
- It made their remains incredibly fragile and unfit for preservation for millions of years.
About Pterosaurs
- Pterosaurs were flying reptiles of extinct clade or order Pterosauria. They lived during most of the Mesozoic, that is from Late Triassic to the end of Cretaceous.
- They are the earliest vertebrates known to have evolved powered flight. Their wings were formed by a membrane of muscle, skin and other tissues.
- It was stretching from ankles to fourth finger.