During the festive season, families gather, and this year, paleontologists from the University of Leicester have revealed that they have brought together a family that has been apart for 150 million years.
A recent study published this week has discovered nearly 50 previously unknown relatives of Pterodactylus, the first known pterosaur. This breakthrough will help scientists piece together the life history of this flying reptile, from its early hatchling stage to adulthood.
Almost 250 years ago, the very first pterosaur fossil was unearthed in a quarry located in northern Bavaria. Named Pterodactylus, this ancient fossil, which is 150 million years old, provided initial proof of an extraordinary group of flying reptiles that once dominated the skies during the Mesozoic era, gliding over dinosaurs with wings that could stretch over 10 meters. While this initial pterosaur was only as big as a turtle dove, it dramatically changed our understanding of prehistoric life.
Although Pterodactylus was the pioneering ‘pterodactyl’, it was quickly overshadowed in popular imagination by larger and more dramatic pterosaurs such as Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus. Nonetheless, Pterodactylus has always retained its charm among pterosaur researchers.
Over the years, Pterodactylus and other similar pterosaurs from Bavaria have been the focus of extensive scientific investigation, contributing significantly to our understanding of pterosaur anatomy, flight, diet, and growth. However, one question has remained unresolved for ages: which of these numerous pterosaurs are genuinely Pterodactylus, and which represent entirely different species? This ambiguity has lingered for centuries… until now. Thanks to a new study that analyzed multiple specimens of Pterodactylus housed in museums globally, the true identities of these fossils have finally emerged.
Using powerful UV torches on fossilized bones to induce fluorescence, University of Leicester researchers Robert Smyth and Dr. Dave Unwin were able to reveal subtle bony details that differentiate pterosaur species. By identifying the unique characteristics of Pterodactylus found in its head, hips, hands, and feet, Smyth and Unwin meticulously examined other fossils from the same geological strata and were astonished to find numerous examples of Pterodactylus ‘hidden’ among what were assumed to be other pterosaur species.
Lead author Robert Smyth, a Ph.D. candidate at the Centre for Palaeobiology and Biosphere Evolution (School of Geography, Geology, and the Environment at the University of Leicester), stated: “By reviewing a large number of fossils across European collections, we reidentified over forty specimens as Pterodactylus. The UV-induced fluorescence revealed astonishing detail, with features that were once invisible now glowing brilliantly.”
The realization has transformed the entire understanding of Pterodactylus remarkably. With almost 50 confirmed instances thus far, our comprehension of this vital pterosaur species has expanded significantly. Co-author Dr. David Unwin from the University of Leicester remarked: “We can now create a complete and detailed skeletal structure for this significant pterosaur. We also have fossilized soft tissues from over twenty specimens, which allows us to reconstruct head crests, body shapes, foot webs, and even the wings.”
The outcome? A rich family portrait of Pterodactylus, offering a unique chance to piece together its entire life story, from robin-sized hatchlings (playfully referred to as ‘flaplings’) to ‘teenage’ Pterodactylus, all the way to raven-size adults with wingspans nearly ten times greater.
Dr. Unwin added: “While UV-induced fluorescence is a known technique, what sets this study apart is our combination of new high-quality light sources with a comprehensive approach. This is poised to revolutionize our understanding of pterosaurs.”
