Pterosaurs, prehistoric flying reptiles with feathers and wingspans ranging from pigeons to planes, had long tails ending in a prominent flap of skin called a vane. For millions of years, these structures puzzled scientists, who have now discovered new structures within the vanes using laser scanning technology.
The study, published in December’s eLife journal, reveals that the “struts” or latticework structure in the tail vanes helped keep them stiff and may have aided maneuvering during flight. This suggests that the vane was not just for social display but also played a crucial role in the pterosaur’s ability to fly.
The researchers used laser-stimulated fluorescence, which highlights hidden features in fossils, to examine four Rhamphorhynchus specimens with diamond-shaped tail vanes. They found that these structures could have provided additional support, reducing flutter and making turns easier for the pterosaurs.
While social display remains a primary function of the vane, the discovery sheds new light on its role in flight. The study’s findings offer significant advancements in understanding pterosaur anatomy and may inspire future research into their flight capabilities.
Future studies could explore why long tails with vanes disappeared from pterosaurs by the Cretaceous period, around 146 million years ago. Laser scanning technology may also uncover other characteristics essential to pterosaur flight, potentially leading to a better understanding of their anatomy and even inspiring innovative airborne vehicles.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/science/pterosaur-tails-fossils.html