A team of researchers recently unearthed the remains of a large flying reptile that inhabited Earth’s skies 100 million years ago, during the era of dinosaurs.
This prehistoric creature is a pterosaur, a group of animals that emerged over 200 million years ago and thrived until the mass extinction event around 66 million years ago, which wiped out their dinosaur cousins, among many other life forms.
Pterosaurs and dinosaurs are part of a larger group called archosaurs, which also includes birds and crocodiles. One distinguishing feature of pterosaurs is their status as the first vertebrate animals with backbones to develop flight abilities.
The discovery of pterosaur remains was made in the Patagonia region of southern Argentina, specifically in the province of Rio Negro. Researchers found a single neck vertebra bone on the banks of the Ezequiel Ramos MexÃa Reservoir, a massive man-made lake situated along Rio Negro’s border with Neuquén province.
The incomplete vertebra bone, dating back to between 100 million and 90 million years ago, belongs to the Azhdarchidae family of pterosaurs. Azhdarchids are known for being the largest flying creatures in history, with members like Quetzalcoatlus boasting wingspans of up to 40 feet and heights akin to modern giraffes.
According to Federico Agnolin, a researcher affiliated with the Laboratory of Comparative Anatomy and Vertebrate Evolution (LACEV) at the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences, Azhdarchids are colossal, slender flying reptiles with long beaks and elongated necks. Due to the fragility of Azhdarchid bones, any discovery of their fossil remains is considered significant.
Though only a single vertebra was found, researchers could not assign a specific species to the remains. Nonetheless, the fossil represents the oldest record of the Azhdarchidae family in South America, contributing to a deeper understanding of these impressive prehistoric beings.
The newfound pterosaur, while smaller in comparison to other Azhdarchidae members, would have still boasted a significant wingspan similar to that of modern condors. This discovery represents a crucial addition to the knowledge of Azhdarchids in South America, shedding light on their diversity and suggesting a richer history than previously assumed.
In conclusion, the uncovering of this pterosaur fossil expands our insight into the evolution and diversity of these extraordinary flying reptiles, prompting further exploration to unearth more remnants of these remarkable prehistoric creatures on the continent.
