150 Million-Year-Old Pterosaur Cold Case Cracked
BERLIN (AP) — A team of paleontologists led by Dr. Rab Smyth has finally solved the mystery surrounding the deaths of hundreds of 150-million-year-old pterosaurs found in the Solnhofen Limestones of Germany.
According to a study published in the journal Nature, Smyth and his team discovered that two Pterodactylus antiquus hatchlings, named Lucky I and Lucky II, had succumbed to storm winds during a tropical storm that ravaged the area. The researchers found clean, slanted humerus fractures on both specimens, indicating they were unable to fly and drowned in the lagoon.
"We've been studying these fossils for years, but we never knew what happened to them," Smyth said in an interview with AP. "It's a fascinating story of how these creatures met their demise."
The Solnhofen Limestones, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, were once a tropical paradise teeming with life during the Jurassic period. The area was characterized by small islands, warm saltwater lagoons, and coral reefs that supported an array of marine life.
The discovery sheds new light on the lives of pterosaurs, which were thought to be highly adaptable creatures. "This finding highlights the vulnerability of these animals to extreme weather events," said Dr. Angela Milner, a paleontologist at the Natural History Museum in London.
The study's findings have significant implications for our understanding of ancient ecosystems and the impact of climate change on life on Earth. "It's a reminder that even in the distant past, natural disasters could have devastating effects on populations," said Dr. Mark Witton, a pterosaur expert at the University of Portsmouth.
Smyth's team is now working to analyze more fossils from the Solnhofen Limestones to gain further insights into the lives of these ancient creatures. "We're just beginning to scratch the surface of what we can learn from these incredible fossils," Smyth said.
The study was published in the journal Nature on March 10, 2023.
*Reporting by Arstechnica.*
