A family reunion 150 million years in making: Paleontologists identify nearly 50 hidden relatives of Pterodactylus
Christmas is the time for families to come together, and in the midst of the festive season, University of Leicester paleontologists have announced that they have reunited a family that has been separated for 150 million ...
A new study published this week has found nearly 50 "hidden" relatives of Pterodactylus, the first pterosaur, that will allow scientists to reconstruct this flying reptile's life history from hatchling to adulthood.
Nearly 250 years ago, the very first pterosaur fossil was found in a quarry in northern Bavaria. Dubbed Pterodactylus, this 150-million-year-old fossil provided the first evidence for an extraordinary group of flying reptiles that filled the skies of the Mesozoic, soaring over the heads of dinosaurs on wings that could span up to 10 meters or more. While this first pterosaur was only the size of a turtle dove, it completely reshaped our understanding of prehistoric life.
Despite being the original "pterodactyl," Pterodactylus was soon quite literally overshadowed in the public consciousness by more dramatic, giant pterosaurs like Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus, which stole the spotlight. But Pterodactylus remained a favorite among pterosaur scientists.
Over the centuries, Pterodactylus and other similar pterosaurs from Bavaria have been central to ongoing scientific study, helping shape much of what we know about pterosaurs, from the shape of their wings and how they flew, to their diet and how they grew. But one question has always lingered: which of these many pterosaurs are truly Pterodactylus and which belongs to a completely different species?
UV photography of Pterodactylus. Ultraviolet light reveals remarkable details of the fossil invisible under normal lighting. This famous specimen showcases preserved soft tissues, including the delicate wing membranes, which fluoresce vividly under UV illumination. Credit: University of Leicester
Growth stages of Pterodactylus. From tiny "flaplings" no larger than a sparrow, most known specimens represent 'teenagers' comparable in size to a pigeon. Fully grown individuals boasted impressive wingspans exceeding 1 meter. Unlike birds, which must grow before achieving flight, even the smallest Pterodactylus were capable of flight from an early age. Credit: University of Leicester
Family resemblance. This larger specimen is slightly jumbled, but it still reveals many important details, including the anatomy of the hands and feet, which have been found to be highly diagnostic features. This allows us to distinguish Pterodactylus from other closely related pterosaurs. Credit: University of Leicester