Hurricane-strength storms likely disrupted and destroyed infant pterosaur populations, according to fossil discoveries
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In a groundbreaking discovery, a team of paleontologists has uncovered the remains of two baby Pterodactylus antiquus in the Solnhofen Limestone, a fossil hotspot in southern Germany. The findings, published in the journal Current Biology, shed new light on the preservation of baby pterosaur fossils and provide a tragic glimpse into their lives during the Mesozoic era.
Dr. Mark Unwin, one of the lead researchers, expressed that this discovery is a significant step forward. "Understanding preservation processes improves our chances of reconstructing accurate pictures of past life," he said.
The discovery of Lucky and Lucky II, as the baby pterosaurs have been named, has revealed that violent tropical storms occurred in the Mesozoic era, affecting the lives of animals during that time. The entire process happened so quickly that the pterosaurs wouldn't be subjected to post-mortem destruction, according to the study.
Lucky and Lucky II are among the smallest, well-preserved pterosaur fossils ever found. An autopsy revealed broken, storm-tossed wings, with Lucky's left wing and Lucky II's right wing each showing a clean, slanted fracture. Examining the "Luckies" under ultraviolet light revealed previously unknown skeletal trauma, suggesting they were shredded to death by the violent storm.
The young age of the pterosaurs suggests that they could fly soon after hatching. However, larger, stronger pterosaurs may have survived the storm but eventually succumbed to exhaustion, floating to their deaths on the lagoon's surface.
Dr. Smyth, another researcher, suggested that the Solnhofen lagoon ecosystem was dominated by small pterosaurs for centuries. If the new hypothesis is correct, the baby pterosaurs were quickly snatched from the air by the storm and buried underwater for a "rapid burial."
The findings also highlight how fossilized records depend on context. The pterosaurs found in the Solnhofen limestone deposits in southern Germany during the 1990s were distinctive species that suggested a possible different origin or evolutionary lineage than previously assumed.
The discovery raises the question of whether the fossil record may be biased, leading to incorrect assumptions about fossils we think we understand. Dr. Unwin stated that the discovery of Lucky II was no longer a "freak find," but evidence of how baby pterosaurs were dying in the Solnhofen lagoon.
The study presents a new perspective on the preservation of baby pterosaur fossils in the Solnhofen Limestone. The researchers hope that further investigations will help us better understand the lives and deaths of these ancient creatures.
This tragic tale serves as a reminder of the delicate balance of life and the impact of natural disasters on the ecosystems of the past. The story of Lucky and Lucky II is a testament to the power of science to uncover the secrets of the past and deepen our understanding of the world we live in.
