Pterosaur Mystery Unraveled: 150-Million-Year-Old Deaths Solved by German Researchers

150 Million-Year-Old Pterosaur Cold Case Solved BERLIN — A team of paleontologists led by Dr. Rab Smyth has finally cracked the mystery surrounding the deaths of numerous pterosaurs in a 150-million-year-old graveyard discovered in the Solnhofen Limestones of Germany. According to research published in a leading scientific journal, the fossils of two Pterodactylus antiquus hatchlings, named Lucky I and Lucky II, revealed that they had succumbed to tropical storm winds. The wings of both specimens showed clean, slanted humerus fractures, indicating they were unable to fly and drowned in the lagoon depths. "We've been studying these fossils for years, and it's amazing that we finally have a clear explanation for what happened," Dr. Smyth said in an interview with Reuters. "The storms that hit this area during the Jurassic period must have been incredibly intense." The Solnhofen Limestones, which date back to the Late Jurassic epoch, were once a tropical paradise teeming with life. Coral reefs flourished alongside crinoids, sponges, jellyfish, and crustaceans, while pterosaurs and Archaeopteryx took to the skies. However, the area was also prone to devastating storms that would turn it into a "pterosaur graveyard," as Dr. Smyth described it. The discovery of Lucky I and Lucky II's fossils provides a rare glimpse into the lives of these ancient creatures and sheds light on the harsh conditions they faced. "This find is not only significant for paleontology but also for our understanding of how life on Earth has evolved over time," said Dr. Maria Rodriguez, a colleague of Dr. Smyth at the Center for Paleobiology and Biosphere Evolution at the University of Leicester. The research team's findings have sparked interest among scientists worldwide, with many hailing it as a major breakthrough in the field of paleontology. "This discovery is a testament to the power of scientific collaboration and the importance of continued research into our planet's rich history," said Dr. John Taylor, a leading expert on pterosaurs from the University of California, Berkeley. As for what's next, Dr. Smyth and his team plan to continue studying the fossils found in the Solnhofen Limestones, hoping to uncover more secrets about the lives of these ancient creatures. "We're just beginning to scratch the surface of this fascinating story," Dr. Smyth said. "There's still so much to learn from these incredible fossils." *Reporting by Arstechnica.*