A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery in the Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona, uncovering North America’s oldest known pterosaur fossil at approximately 209.2 million years old. The flying reptile, named Eotephradactylus mcintireae, was estimated to be around the size of a small seagull and would have comfortably perched on a person’s shoulder.
Paleontologist Ben Kligman led the research, which aimed to identify the fossil found among thousands of other ancient bones. Initially, some researchers questioned whether the jawbone belonged to a pterosaur or another animal altogether. However, through careful analysis and comparison with Triassic jaw anatomy, they concluded that the fossil was indeed a pterosaur.
The discovery fills a significant gap in the fossil record, providing valuable insights into the late Triassic period. The Eotephradactylus mcintireae is considered a close cousin of dinosaurs and marked one of the first animals to evolve powered flight after insects. The team’s findings also shed light on other ancient creatures found alongside pterosaurs, including turtles, giant amphibians, armored crocodile relatives, and even early frog species.
The researchers’ precise dating of the fossil was made possible by the level of volcanic ash surrounding it, which provided a unique marker for determining the age. This discovery is significant not only because of its age but also because pterosaur fossils are notoriously fragile and rarely preserved in their entirety.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/north-america-oldest-pterosaur-smithsonian-arizona