During the era when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, pterosaurs soared through the prehistoric skies in a variety of shapes and sizes. From the massive 32-feet wingspan of Cryodrakon boreas to the more delicate 6.5 feet wingspan reminiscent of a modern harpy eagle, the diversity of pterosaurs was vast. A recent discovery of a new pterosaur species, Skiphosoura bavarica, sheds light on the transition from smaller to larger wingspans and other physical changes in these ancient flying reptiles. This new species was detailed in a study published in the journal Current Biology on November 18.
The fossil of Skiphosoura bavarica was found in southern Germany and is unique due to its short, stiff, sword-like tail. This well-preserved specimen, with bones intact in three dimensions, provides valuable insights into the pterosaur’s anatomy. Estimated to be the size of a golden eagle with a wingspan of approximately 6.5 meters, Skiphosoura bavarica offers a glimpse into the evolutionary changes of these ancient creatures.
The discovery of Skiphosoura bavarica helps fill the gaps in our understanding of pterosaur evolution. This species serves as a missing link between earlier darwinopterans and later pterodactyloids, showcasing features of both groups. The fossil provides evidence of changes in head and neck structure, wrist length, and toe and tail size across different pterosaur groups.
By studying transitional species like Skiphosoura, scientists have reconstructed the pterosaur evolutionary tree, identifying key milestones in their development. This new information allows researchers to trace the progression of anatomical changes that eventually led to the emergence of giant pterodactyloids.
The significance of Skiphosoura and similar transitional species lies in their role as precursors to the massive pterodactyloids. These findings offer valuable insights into the evolutionary process that shaped these remarkable flying creatures, paving the way for further research in this field.
