Aug. 4, 2009 -- A well-preserved pterosaur with soft tissues reveals this dinosaur-age flying reptile had hair, claws and wings that were unlike anything seen on today's living animals, suggests a new paper. Analysis of the remains, which date to around 140 to 130 million years ago, indicate pterosaurs were warm-blooded insect eaters that may have lived in trees and possessed sophisticated flying skills. "Pterosaurs are unique in their bone construction and our study also shows that some of the soft tissues of these creatures differ from anything known today," lead author Alexander Kellner told Discovery News. Kellner, a paleontologist at the National Museum in Rio de Janeiro, and colleagues made the determinations after studying the remains of the adult pterosaur Jeholopterus ningchengensis, found in Late Jurassic or Early Cretaceous layers of the Daohugou Bed in China. Wing tissues show the pterosaur had a nearly three-foot wingspan with a complex flying membrane located between the animal's body and each of its large fingers. The membrane consisted of up to three layers containing structural fibers, with fibers in each layer oriented in a different direction, forming a reticular pattern. Related Content:
"We conclude that this pterosaur might have been able to adjust the wing membrane during flight in order to enhance flight capability," explained Kellner, who said the construction might have also permitted pterosaurs to position the wings as desired when not flying. The fibers also gave strength to the wings, preventing tears. The study, published in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, further describes hair-like structures that covered the pterosaur's body, including part of the wing membrane. The "hairs," previously theorized to have been feathers or protofeathers, consisted of "comparatively thick filaments, differing in structure from mammalian hair." "Now, what were they?" asked Kellner. "This is the point: (They were) a completely different structure that is not known in any living organism today." The researchers additionally found a "horny covering" on the pterosaur's claws, "showing that the claws were much longer in life." "This corroborates with the hypothesis that these animals were good climbers and could have been living in trees," Kellner said. Get More NewsSpiders, Scorpions Among World's Oldest CreaturesMany creepy crawlies have been on Earth much longer than previously believed.Blood-Sucking Vampire Bats Sing DuetsWhite-winged vampire bats "harmonize" with separated roost mates.Oldest Hebrew Writing Possibly FoundAncient inscriptions on a 3,000-year-old pottery shard could make history.Rare, Prehistoric-Age Reptile Found in N.Z.A tuatara has been spotted on the New Zealand mainland for the first time in 200 years.Iceman Has No Living RelativesOetzi, the 5,300 year-old frozen mummy, left no living genetic legacy.SLIDE SHOW: Landscapes of TerrorWhat makes a place feel scary? There are scientific explanations.It's Official: People Are Warming the PolesHumans are conclusively to blame for polar warming, say scientists.Eight-Armed Animal Preceded DinosaursWhat may be one of Earth's first animals was no bigger than a coaster and had eight arms.Phoenicians Live on in People's GenesOne in 17 Mediterranean men may be descended from ancient Phoenicians.Pesticides, Fertilizers Linked to Frog DeclineA pesticide is found to promote parasites among amphibians.Hubble Telescope Taking Photos AgainThe Hubble Space Telescope is once again snapping stunning photos of the universe.Andean Mummy Hairs Show Hallucinogen UseScientists find direct evidence of hallucinogenic drug use among ancient Andeans.Opals on Mars Reveal Planet's Long Wet PastOpals found on Mars suggest the planet has been wet for much longer. |
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