Its body was small like that of a seagull and very similar to that of modern birds. There is debate about how many species existed: recent studies suggest there was only one, Pterodactylus antiquus, but there are researchers who argue that there are more. All are of the genus Pterodactylus, which belongs to the order Pterosauria, which includes several types of flying reptiles. But none of them can be called a dinosaur, as this title is only attributed to animals from the Ornithischia and Saurischia orders. Pterodactyls flew across the Earth between the end of the Jurassic period and the beginning of the Cretaceous, that is, from 150 to 140 million years ago. The first fossil was discovered in 1780 in the Jurassic limestone quarry in Solnhofen, Germany. “Pterodactyl” comes from the Greek pteros (“wing”) + daktulos (“finger”), meaning “winged finger”, in reference to the digit that supports the wing.
The king of the jurassic skies
Pterodactylus antiquus was the first flying reptile discovered and the only pterodactyl whose existence is consensus among scientists.
LAND TRAIL
The footprints found indicate that, when on land, the pterodactyl walked on all fours, just like all other pterosaurs. Almost nothing is known about the reproduction of pterosaurs, but it is believed that they laid their eggs in the ground, buried or in clay “nests”.
SHAKE THE TOPET!
Several pterosaurs had crests, made of bone or soft tissue – pterodactyls fit the latter group. It is not known if both sexes had it or if it was exclusive to males. Its function is also uncertain: it may have been used to attract mates for mating, to disperse body heat, or even to aid in flight.
SHOWING THE FINGER
The wings were supported by a long, elongated finger. Besides him, there were three others, short ones, which were probably used for climbing and taking care of hygiene. Pterosaur wing membranes were not simple: they contained a layer of tough fibers, an extensive system of blood vessels, and various sets of muscles.
FILLING THE BAG
Recent studies suggest that pterodactyls had air sacs. To help the respiratory system. There are several pockets that allow a constant flow of fresh air to the lungs and do not let the exhaled air (rich in CO2) mix with the new one. Birds have up to nine air sacs, and pterodactyls likely had something similar.
LOOKS LIKE A GLIDER
The membranes of the wings were connected to the tibias, that is, to the legs of the animals. It is still not known exactly where the connection was: whether in the hip, thigh or ankle. It makes a difference: the further down, the greater the role of the legs in controlling the flight and the greater the variety of possible movements
IT’S NOT FOR YOUR BEAK
Pterodactyls glided calmly through coastal areas in search of food, similarly to gulls and albatrosses. They hunted small fish and shrimp using their beaks, which had dozens of small teeth, numbering as many as 90. They most likely swam in the water, like ducks, and made small shallow dips to catch the fish.
HAIRY CHEST
There is evidence that hair-like structures called pycnofibers coated the body of pterodactyls, serving to preserve body heat. “That would mean that they were endothermic animals, that could regulate their body temperature, like humans”, says Alexander Kellner, a paleontologist at the Museu Nacional da Barra in Rio de Janeiro. There is debate whether the little tail was part of the wing membrane or not. If yes, then tail movement aided in flight
READ MORE
– Were dinosaurs warm-blooded?
– How was the Brazilian flora at the time of the dinosaurs?
SOURCES Encyclopedia of Dinosaurs, edited by Philip J. Currie and Kevin Padian, Dinosaurs, Spitfires, and Sea Dragons, by Christopher McGowan, Pterosaurs: Rulers of the Skies in the Dinosaur Age, by Caroline Arnold
CONSULTANCY Dave Hone, paleontologist and researcher at the University of Bristol, Christopher Bennett, paleontologist and associate professor at the University of Fort Hays, and Alexander Kellner, paleontologist at the Museu Nacional da Barra in Rio de Janeiro