Life
Recent discoveries in Germany reveal young pterodactyl fossils bearing signs of flight-related injuries, suggesting their struggle during severe tropical cyclones.
An artist’s impression of a pterodactyl hatchling struggling against a tropical storm
Rudolf Hima
Fossil evidence indicates that baby pterodactyls took to the skies within days of hatching, although many met fatal fates when their wings were damaged in turbulent storms, leading them to drown in nearby lagoons.
These juvenile pterosaurs possessed wing structures comparable to adult pterodactyls, showcasing the strength and aerodynamic capabilities necessary for flight. However, the scientific community has long debated the feasibility of flight for hatchlings at such a young stage.
Located in the Solnhofen region of southern Germany, a wealth of pterosaur fossils rests within ancient limestone deposits. While examining these fossils under ultraviolet light at the Museum Bergér in Harthof, researchers David Unwin and Robert Smyth from the University of Leicester uncovered a hatchling of Pterodactylus antiquus with a broken wing. Shortly after, a second hatchling with a similar injury was discovered.
“It was astonishing to find such a clear break under the UV light,” Unwin expressed. “Both of us were taken aback. We couldn’t believe our eyes.”
With wingspans measuring just 20 centimeters, the hatchlings were estimated to be separated by about 2 million years, dating back roughly 150 million years. During this period, the area was characterized by a series of islands and lagoons, frequently affected by devastating tropical cyclones that would trigger mudslides, preserving the remains of unfortunate creatures caught in the chaos.
The examined skeletons displayed healthy structures apart from a distinct, angled break in the humerus—the bone supporting the wing—indicating a recent injury without signs of healing. These fractures are akin to those observed in modern birds and bats flying in severe storms.
A juvenile Pterodactylus antiquus skeleton from Solnhofen, Germany
University of Leicester
“The evidence strongly suggests that these unfortunate pterosaurs were in the process of flight when their injuries occurred,” Unwin noted. “In calm waters, they might have managed to float for some time, but in stormy seas, they would quickly become waterlogged and sink.”
This groundbreaking discovery provides vital evidence that young pterosaur hatchlings could indeed achieve flight, answering a longstanding question among researchers. Unwin adds, “While they likely didn’t instantly take to the air upon hatching, it’s reasonable to assume they were flying not long after, explaining why we see such young fossils today.”
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