(NLDO) - The strange creature named Melkamter pateko is the oldest member of the Monofenestrata pterosaur branch, living in the early Jurassic period.
The bizarre skull and partial fossil bones of a Jurassic creature - unearthed in the Chubut province of Argentina's Patagonia region - have helped identify an entirely new species of pterosaur, dubbed Melkamter pateko.
Recreated image of "king of the sky" Melkamter pateko who lived in the early Jurassic period - Graphics: Pedro Andrade
Dr. Alexandra Fernandes from the Bavarian State Collection of Paleontology and Geology (Germany) and colleagues from Germany and Argentina analyzed the fossil and determined that it dates back 184 to 174 million years ago, the early Jurassic period.
The specimen was identified as a member of a mysterious group of pterosaurs called Monofenestrata and is 8-10 million years older than the oldest specimen of this group previously found.
According to Dr. Fernandes, pterosaurs (also known as winged lizards) were the first branch of flying four-legged animals in the world and evolved strongly in the Mesozoic era, achieving a global distribution from the Triassic to the Cretaceous period.
The Jurassic period fell between the two periods mentioned above and witnessed a transition between two groups of pterosaurs with distinct morphology.
Monofenestratan represents that important evolutionary step, with a very monstrous body.
So the discovery of the world's oldest Monofenestratan was a huge stroke of luck for paleontologists.
In addition, Melkamter pateko also belonged to the supercontinent Gondwana, which was the southern supercontinent that broke up. The land that is now South America was part of that supercontinent.
Pterosaur fossils are abundant in the northern supercontinent of Laurasia at that time, while those in the south are very rare.
That further highlights the importance of this new specimen in filling in gaps in the evolutionary picture of pterosaurs - fierce relatives of dinosaurs, considered "kings of the sky" throughout the three geological periods in which they existed.
The study was recently published in the scientific journal Royal Society Open Science.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/phat-hien-vua-bau-troi-ky-jura-den-tu-sieu-luc-dia-da-mat-196241223113346437.htm
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