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Pterosaurs
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| 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 Books
Here are some books from Amazon.com:
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By Mark P. Witton
Princeton University Press
Released: June 23rd, 2013
Hardcover (304 pages)
 | List Price: $39.00*
Lowest New Price: $26.99*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:26 Pacific 12 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Pterosaurs: Natural History, Evolution, Anatomy- Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
- Brand: Princeton University Press
- ISBN: 0691150613
- EAN: 9780691150611
- PartNumber: 36841174
Details:- Hardcover
- Format: Illustrated
- Edition: Illustrated
- Number of Pages: 304
- Author: Mark P. Witton
- Publication Date: June 23rd, 2013
- Release Date: June 23rd, 2013
Physical Description:- Size: 11.25 Inches by 9.0 Inches by 1.25 Inches
- Weight: 3.30032006214 pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Gregory S. Paul
Princeton University Press
Released: June 7th, 2022
Hardcover (184 pages)
 | List Price: $29.95*
Lowest New Price: $22.99*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:26 Pacific 12 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
The Princeton Field Guide to Pterosaurs (Princeton Field Guides)- Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
- ISBN: 0691180172
- EAN: 9780691180175
- PartNumber: 9780691180175
Details:- Hardcover
- Number of Pages: 184
- Author: Gregory S. Paul
- Publication Date: June 7th, 2022
- Release Date: June 7th, 2022
Physical Description:- Size: 11.25 inches by 9.0 inches by 0.75 inches
- Weight: 2.29942139266 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Peter Wellnhofer
Crescent
Released: June 29th, 1991
Hardcover (192 pages)
 | List Price: $19.99*
Lowest Used Price: $16.43*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:26 Pacific 12 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Illustrated Encyclopedia of Pterosaurs- Manufacturer: Crescent
- ISBN: 0517037017
- EAN: 9780517037010
Details:- Hardcover
- Number of Pages: 192
- Author: Peter Wellnhofer
- Publication Date: June 29th, 1991
- Release Date: June 29th, 1991
Physical Description:- Size: 0.9 inches by 12.2 inches by 9.0 inches
- Weight: 2.7998707274 pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Yang Yang
Brown Books Pub Group
Released: May 25th, 2021
Hardcover (192 pages)
 | List Price: $24.95*
Lowest New Price: $16.99*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:26 Pacific 12 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
The Secrets of Pterosaurs (PNSO Encyclopedia for Children #2)- Manufacturer: Brown Books Pub Group
- ISBN: 1612545181
- EAN: 9781612545189
- PartNumber: 9781612545189
Details:- Hardcover
- Number of Pages: 192
- Author: Yang Yang
- Publication Date: May 25th, 2021
- Release Date: May 25th, 2021
Physical Description:- Size: 12.2 Inches by 9.3 Inches by 0.7 Inches
- Weight: 2.6 pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By David M. Unwin
Pi Press
Released: August 25th, 2005
Hardcover (352 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $40.11*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:26 Pacific 12 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
The Pterosaurs: From Deep Time- Manufacturer: Pi Press
- ISBN: 013146308X
- EAN: 9780131463080
Details:- Hardcover
- Edition: First Edition
- Number of Pages: 352
- Author: David M. Unwin
- Publication Date: August 25th, 2005
- Release Date: August 25th, 2005
Physical Description:- Size: 10.78 inches by 8.44 inches by 1.039 inches
- Weight: 3.24961374188 pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Jerry Pallotta
Scholastic Inc.
Released: January 7th, 2025
Paperback (32 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $5.99*
This title will be released on January 7, 2025. Pre-order now.*
*(As of 16:26 Pacific 12 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Who Would Win?: Ultimate Pterosaur Rumble- Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
- ISBN: 1339000954
- EAN: 9781339000954
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 32
- Author: Jerry Pallotta
- Publication Date: January 7th, 2025
- Release Date: January 7th, 2025
Physical Description:- Weight: 1.1133344231 Pounds
Click here for more information |
|
By Peter Wellnhofer
Brand: Salamander Books
Hardcover (192 pages)
 | Lowest Used Price: $12.99*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:26 Pacific 12 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
The illustrated encyclopedia of pterosaurs- Manufacturer: Salamander Books Ltd.
- Brand: Brand: Salamander Books
- ISBN: 0861015665
- EAN: 9780861015665
Details:- Hardcover
- Edition: First Edition
- Number of Pages: 192
- Author: Peter Wellnhofer
Physical Description:- Weight: 2.6014546916 pounds
Features:- Used Book in Good Condition
Click here for more information |
|
By Andre J. Veldmeijer & Ilja Nieuwland
Books on Demand GmbH
Released: December 31st, 2012
Paperback (134 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $50.55*
Usually ships within 13 to 14 days*
*(As of 16:26 Pacific 12 Sep 2024 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Pterosaurs: Flying Contemporaries of the Dinosaurs- Manufacturer: Sidestone Press
- Brand: Books on Demand GmbH
- ISBN: 9088900930
- EAN: 9789088900938
- PartNumber: 152 col, 29 b/w figures, 21 x 25cm
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 134
- Authors: Andre J. Veldmeijer, Mark Witton, Ilja Nieuwland
- Publication Date: December 31st, 2012
- Release Date: December 31st, 2012
Physical Description:- Size: 9.75 inches by 8.25 inches by 0.5 inches
- Weight: 0.9590108397 pounds
Click here for more information |
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