Tragic Demise Amidst the Tempest - Query Concerning the Fate of the Flying Saurians of Bavaria's Infant
In the heart of Bavaria, Germany, the Solnhofen limestone plates have long been a treasure trove for pterosaur fossils. For centuries, scientists believed that the ecosystems of the Solnhofen lagoon were dominated by small pterosaurs. However, recent findings by a British research team led by Robert Smyth from the University of Leicester, published in the journal "Current Biology", suggest a shift in this understanding.
The team discovered two miniature pterodactylus specimens, named "Lucky" and "Lucky II", in the Solnhofen limestone. These creatures, smaller and more delicate than a house mouse, were less than 20 centimeters in wingspan. The unique fracture pattern in their arm bones and the signs of a strong rotational force in their wings, as revealed by the study, suggest that they were victims of a powerful tropical storm that occurred 150 million years ago.
Adult flying reptiles are rarely found in the Solnhofen limestone, usually in fragments. But the discovery of these well-preserved, young pterosaurs challenges the previous belief that the Solnhofen lagoon was dominated by small pterosaurs. The researchers propose that small pterosaurs living on nearby islands may have been repeatedly blown over the Solnhofen lagoon by massive storms.
The story of "Lucky" and "Lucky II" may not have been an isolated incident in the Solnhofen lagoon. Most of the discovered pterosaurs are small, young, and well-preserved. After being severely injured, the tiny creatures may have plunged into a lagoon of the tropical sea that covered southern Germany during the Jurassic period and drowned.
Interestingly, larger animals might have been better able to withstand the natural forces. The bodies of "Lucky" and "Lucky II", smaller and more delicate, sank to the sea floor and were quickly covered by fine, calcareous silt stirred up by the storm, preserving the fossils. This discovery challenges the long-held belief that the Solnhofen lagoon was dominated by large, mature pterosaurs.
In conclusion, the findings of the British research team led by Robert Smyth provide new insights into the ecosystems of the Solnhofen lagoon during the Jurassic period. The study suggests that small pterosaurs, rather than being the dominant species, may have been frequent visitors to the lagoon, blown over by massive storms from nearby islands. The story of "Lucky" and "Lucky II" serves as a reminder of the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the ancient world.
