Giant flying reptile ruled ancient Transylvania
Date:
February 10, 2017
Source:
University of Portsmouth
Summary:
A giant pterosaur – a toothless flying reptile with a 10 metre wingspan – may have been the dominant predator in ancient Romania, suggests new research. The creature has a considerably shorter and stronger neck with larger muscles than the long graceful necks of others in its species.
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FULL STORY
A giraffe and human show the scale of a long-necked azhdarchid Arambourgiania (centre) and the 'new look' short-necked Hatzegopteryx (right).
Credit: Dr Mark Witton, University of Portsmouth
New research suggests that a giant pterosaur -- a toothless flying reptile with a 10 metre wingspan -- may have been the dominant predator in ancient Romania.
Palaeontologists examined the creature's unusual gigantic neck vertebra and believe it was a formidable carnivore and major predator that terrorised dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals of Cretaceous-age Transylvania. It provides the first evidence of large predatory animals in the region at that time.
Dr Mark Witton, from the University of Portsmouth and Dr Darren Naish from University of Southampton, both in the UK, examined several fossilised remains of the creature, known as Hatzegopteryx, which belongs to the flying reptile group Azhdarchidae.
Usually this species' tubular neck bones give them extremely long necks, over 2.5 metres in length in the largest species. However, the researchers suggest Hatzegopteryx had a considerably shorter and stronger neck, and with larger muscle masses. Other remains of Hatzegopteryx include a jaw joint indicative of a half-metre wide skull and reinforced limb bones. Dr Witton suggests that the proportions and structural reinforcement of all these elements are unlike those of any other azhdarchid species and would have made Hatzegopteryx a powerful and dominant predator.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170210131348.htm
