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Pterosaurs
Click here for more Pterosaur Pictures
| Scientific Classification |
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Pterosaurs (which means "winged lizard")
which are also sometimes popularly known as "Pterodactyls"
(which means "winged finger")
were winged reptiles that evolved during the late
Triassic period,
about 220 million years ago,
and survived until the
Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction,
about 65 million years ago.
Although contemporary with the dinosaurs,
Pterosaurs were not dinosaurs, although
they were also members of the Archosaur group of reptiles (the group that also
includes
dinosaurs, birds, crocodilians,
and Champsosaurs).
The smallest Pterosaurs were about the size of a small bird, but the largest,
such as Quetzalcoatlus had a wingspan of as much as 36 feet (11 meters).
Most (or perhaps even) all smaller Pterosaur species seemed to have died out before
the end of the
Cretaceous period,
and it is thought that this might have been due to competition from birds.
By the time of the Cretaceous-Tertiary mass extinction,
only the Pterosaurs survived, and these of course died out during that extinction.
Pterosaurs evolved flight independently and separately from birds, but
incorporated a number of bird-like features. Their bones were hollow
and air filled, which reduced their weight, that had breastbone to which
they flight muscles were attached, and they seem to have brain adaptations
which would have helped them fly. It was once thought that Pterosaurs were
mainly gliders, but today many scientists believe that atleast some species
were active flyers.
Pterosaurs wings were a membrane that
stretched from an elongated fourth finger of each arm, and joined to the body.
Some paleontologists have argued that the wing membrane would also have joined
to the hind limbs, but others say this would not have been the case - it is also
possible that the extent of the wing membrane depended on the particular species.
It is also known that atleast some Pterosaurs had webbed feet, and while it is
possible that these may have been used for swimming, it is also possible that
they may have assisted in flying.
There is also evidence that at least some species of Pterosaurs had hair. Pterosaur
hair evolved independently of mammalian hair, and would have a different structure,
although similar function to that of a mammals. The presence of hair suggests that
Pterosaurs were probably warm-blooded ("endothermic").
When walking on the ground, Pterosaurs probably had a semi-erect posture.
There was once much debate about whether they walked on two legs (bipedally)
or four legs (quadrupedally), but
fossil tracks that have been
found, show they were quadrupeds.
The first Pterosaur fossil
was found in 1784 by Cosimo Collini, who believed he had found a
sea creature
(although the eminent naturalist Georges Cuvier
suggested that Pterosaurs were flying creatures as early as 1801,
the aquatic hypothesis about the creatures continued to be supported
by some scientists until at least the 1830s).
Other early discoveries include a find of the Pterosaur
Dimorphodon by Mary Anning
in Lyme Regis, England
in 1828.
Today, at least 60 different genera of Pterosaurs are known, and
fossil have been found
in every continent except Antarctica. Since Pterosaur bones were hollow,
unfortunately they tended to be crushed when buried under sediments, so
many fossils are
poorly preserved. However, fortunately there is an exception -
for some unknown reason the bones in Pterosaurs
found in the Araripe Plateau in Brazil were
not crushed during the
fossilization process.
Additionally, as already noted,
fossil Pterosaur
trackways have been found. Furthermore, one
fossil Pterosaur
egg has been found - which although squashed, was not cracked (suggesting
Pterosaur eggs were soft and leathery) - contained an embryo containing well-developed
wing membranes.
Because Pterosaur fossils
are not always well-preserved, and there are many gaps in the
fossil record,
there has been much debate about how Pterosaurs evolved, and how to classify
them. Traditionally, Pterosaurs are generally classified into two suborders -
the Rhamphorhynchoidea, which were "primitive" Pterosaurs, with long
tails and fingers adapted to climbing - and the
Pterodactyloidea, which were "advanced" Pterosaurs, with shorter tails, long
wing metacarpals.
Fossils of Pterosaurs
have been found around the world including in
England,
Norway,
the
united States,
Mexico,
South America, and
Australia.
Pterosaurs were winged reptiles that lived between 220 and 65 million years ago
Related Information & Resources
See Also
Pterosaur Pictures and Posters
by AllPosters
Here are some Pterosaur pictures and posters:
(Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by AllPosters. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website).
Pterosaur Books
Here are some books from Amazon.com:
Disclosure: Products details and descriptions provided by Amazon.com. Our company may receive a payment if you purchase products from them after following a link from this website.
By Caroline Arnold
Clarion Books
Hardcover (40 pages)
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One hundred million years ago, the skies were filled with enormous flying reptiles. With wings spans up to nearly forty feet, pterosaurs were the dominant life form on earth. The relationship of these giants of the air to dinosaurs and to other reptiles, their varied appearance and lifestyles, their evolution and extinction, the fossil discoveries that scientists are continually making throughout the world—all are depicted in this beautifully illustrated, accessible book for young scientists and their parents and teachers.
Once again, acclaimed science author Caroline Arnold and meticulous watercolorist Laurie Caple have teamed up to create an eye-opening look at an amazing group of prehistoric animals and what the world was like when these incredible creatures ruled the skies of earth. Index.
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By Ruth Ashby
Harry N. Abrams
Hardcover (32 pages)
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The time is 100 million years ago. Dinosaurs rule the earth . . . but pterosaurs-flying reptiles-rule the skies!
Similar to the format of the Discovery Channel's Walking With Dinosaurs and Discovery Kids' Prehistoric Planet, this action-packed book tells the story of a young Pteranodon from its first flight, first hunt, and first near brush with death-evading raptors and a T. rex-to finding a mate. The and illustrator both base their story on new studies and theories from the field. The book includes a glossary, select bibliography, and research notes. AUTHOR BIO: Ruth Ashby has written many award-winning nonfiction books for young people on biographical history, animal science, and natural history. She lives in New York City. Phil Wilson has provided illustrations for over thirty-five children's books as well as video-box art, posters, book covers, and even a dinosaur-based Monopoly game. He has also contributed to a range of journals, including National Geographic and Wild Outdoor World Magazine. Wilson lives in Pittsburgh. |
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By Hannah Bonner
National Geographic Children's Books
Released: 2012-04-10
Hardcover (48 pages)
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In the style of WHEN BUGS WERE BIG and WHEN FISH GOT FEET this book discusses all the exciting developments of the Triassic Age, from the recovery of the planet from the most deadly mass extinction ever, to the first appearance of the dinosaurs. We also get to meet the first mammals, the first pterosaurs (flying reptiles), the first frogs, a host of predatory marine reptiles, early turtles, and the first coral reefs. With the books' signature blend of humor and clearly presented information, cartoon illustrations help keep the fact-filled material extra fun. |
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By Jonathan David Whitcomb
CreateSpace
Paperback (154 pages)
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Encounter eyewitness accounts of living pterosaurs in the United States. Live "pterodactyls?" In the United States? Many scientists have long assumed all pterosaurs died millions of years ago. Now take a whirlwind tour of many years of investigations in cryptozoology, and prepare for a shock: At least two species of pterosaurs have survived, uncommon, not so much rare as widely, thinly distributed.
Nocturnal pterosaurs have always lived among us, but hidden by something. Enter now the realm of a new branch of cryptozoology, a branch overshadowed by the dogma of a "universal extinction." How did scientists miss living pterosaurs? Get the answers here, hidden secrets about how these amazing flying creatures of the night have gone mostly unreported: Until recently, almost nobody would listen to eyewitnesses; but for the past seven years many of them have been interviewed by the author of this book.
Many modern pterosaurs are much larger than any bat, many with long tails, many with head crests. What about news headlines? How did these creatures avoid media attention? Get the answers from years of work by American cryptozoologists.
The old "fruit bat" explanation for reports of pterosaurs in Papua New Guinea--that bat idea has now been shot down; the tail length of the larger Rhamphorhynchoid-like flying creatures has been estimated at a minimum of ten feet and a maximum of over twenty feet. More shocking, these giant long-tailed flying creatures are not confined to the southwest Pacific: They are seen in the contiguous United States of America. Most pterosaurs in North America, however, are smaller, with many wingspan estimates at less than fifteen feet; nevertheless, how shocking!
What amazing encounters! In California, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and many other states, eyewitnesses have seen strange featherless creatures flying overhead. These are not bats; most have long tails and are bigger than any bat. Dive into eyewitness testimonies; compare sightings through the author's detailed analysis. Third edition, nonfiction. |
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By Kevin Padian
Wiley-Blackwell
Paperback (108 pages)
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Provides a review of the history of the understanding of Dorygnathus, a description of the known specimens in public repositories and an assessment of the general morphology and systematic position of the genus. |
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By Jonathan David Whitcomb
CreateSpace
Paperback (104 pages)
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This is the first edition, before the expansions of newer editions.
Live "pterodactyls!" In the United States? Prepare for a shock if you thought they all died millions of years ago. In California, New Mexico, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and many other states, eyewitnesses have been shocked by featherless creatures flying overhead. Many of the apparent living pterosaurs are much larger than any bat; Many have long tails; many have head crests. Where are the news headlines? How did living pterosaurs avoid the media spotlight? Rare and nocturnal, they have always lived here. But something else has hidden them. Enter now the realm of a new branch of cryptozoology, a struggling branch hampered by the dogma of universal extinction. Consider the words of ordinary Americans who fear ridicule but have still come forward with their extraordinary experiences: encounters with apparent living pterosaurs. Nonfiction.
The third edition is now available. |
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By Paul Geraghty
Barron's Educational Series
Hardcover (32 pages)
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Millions of years ago, prehistoric animals roamed the earth, and the noisiest among them all were two terrible pterosaur twins, Rotten and Rascal. The reason they were always so noisy is easy enough to understand: they quarreled constantly. If this ongoing problem sounds familiar both to parents and kids who read this funny tale, they’ll also be entertained by the surprise ending—a very unusual event that finally puts a stop to the squabbling siblings’ quarreling. Here is the perfect aid for every family that has quarreling little monsters of its own. Large, bright color illustrations on every page. |
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By Elaine Landau
Children's Press(CT)
Paperback (47 pages)
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Describes the characteristics and behavior of the extinct flying reptile that lived on the earth during the Mesozoic era. |
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By Peter Wellnhofer
Crescent
Released: 1991-06-29
Hardcover (192 pages)
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By David M. Unwin
Pi Press
Hardcover (352 pages)
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Here is the first complete portrait of the legendary flying dragons of deep time–the pterosaurs–designed for non-specialists, yet founded on the real science of these bizarre creatures. Presented lucidly and accessibly by one of the world’s leading experts, David Unwin’s book is built on a mountain of new fossil discoveries and the latest research. About 220 millions years ago, a group of reptiles took to the Earth’s vast and open skies. No longer tethered to the ground, the earliest pterosaurs evolved into a multitude of diverse forms, spread around the globe, and ruled the skies until they went extinct along with the dinosaurs about 65 millions years ago, rarely leaving fossils as a record of their existence. What they did leave was a mystery for paleontologists to solve; an enigma so difficult to crack that it took centuries of false starts and missteps before the path to a true understanding of pterosaurs was uncovered. Now, an understanding of the fundamental nature of these strange creatures is finally possible. In the last 15 years, stunning new fossil finds and significant advances in technology have led to a breakthrough in our knowledge of pterosaurs. New fossils of the earliest species were discovered in Italy, a remarkably well-preserved and complete wing was found in Central Asia, and, most extraordinarily, a pterosaur embryo inside an egg was unearthed in China. CAT scanning has let researchers glimpse inside pterosaur skulls and construct three-dimensional images of their bodies from crushed bones, and modern techniques for analyzing relationships between species have revealed surprising insights into the evolution of the group. Drawing on these and other advances, David Unwin, caretaker of Archaeopteryx and curator at the Museum of Natural History in Berlin, paints pterosaurs and their world more vividly than has previously been possible. He eloquently reconstructs their biology and behavior. Pterosaurs weren’t scaly like dinosaurs, but hairy; most were brightly colored and adorned with remarkable head crests; they were excellent fliers with physiologically sophisticated wings; they walked on all fours; and varied in size from eight inches to forty feet in wingspan. He shows how they lived their lives, raised their young, and interacted with the different environments of Mesozoic Earth. Then, building on his thorough examination of their anatomy and lifestyle, and using the powerful technique of cladistic analysis, Unwin unravels the evolutionary history of pterosaurs and establishes their place in the one great tree of life. Packed with 95 color and 30 black and white illustrations–including 10 full-page original color paintings that are scientific recreations of different pterosaur species–The Pterosaurs From Deep Time takes readers on an wondrous expedition back through the lost world of the Earth’s deep past. |
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