Scientists discover oldest known pterosaur species in North America

In Arizona, scientists from the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History announced the discovery of a new pterosaur species, Eotephradactylus mcintireae, characterized by its small size suitable for perching on a person's shoulder. The fossilized jawbone, which contained preserved teeth, was found in 2011 during a volunteer effort by Suzanne McIntire in the museum's FossiLab. The fossil was dated to around 209 million years ago and was uncovered at a remote bonebed at Petrified Forest National Park, where conditions contributed to the preservation of numerous fossils. During the excavation, the team revealed that researchers unearthed not just the jawbone but over 1,200 individual fossils, including bones, teeth, and even coprolites. The presence of armored fish in the region suggests that Eotephradactylus mcintireae likely fed on these creatures. The site where the fossils were found was once situated in the warm equatorial region of Pangaea, featuring small river channels and occasional seasonal floods. These environmental characteristics helped in preserving the numerous fossils found in the area. The discovery of Eotephradactylus mcintireae is significant not only for its status as the oldest known pterosaur in North America but also because it provides insights into the diversity of prehistoric life during the early period of the dinosaurs. Additionally, the excavation unearthed the fossils of an ancient turtle with distinctive spike-like armor, indicating a rapid dispersal of turtles across Pangaea at that time. Overall, this finding underscores the importance of continued paleontological research in uncovering the mysteries of prehistoric life and its ecosystems. The work done by the Smithsonian team highlights how even small discoveries can facilitate major revelations about life on Earth millions of years ago.