This website collects cookies to deliver better user experience. Cookie Policy
Accept
Sign In
The Wall Street Publication
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Reading: North America’s oldest recognized pterosaur, a flying reptile the dimensions of a “small seagull,” found in Arizona, researchers say
Share
The Wall Street PublicationThe Wall Street Publication
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Trending
  • U.S
  • World
  • Politics
  • Business
    • Business
    • Economy
    • Real Estate
    • Markets
    • Personal Finance
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Arts
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Entertainment
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.
The Wall Street Publication > Blog > World > North America’s oldest recognized pterosaur, a flying reptile the dimensions of a “small seagull,” found in Arizona, researchers say
World

North America’s oldest recognized pterosaur, a flying reptile the dimensions of a “small seagull,” found in Arizona, researchers say

Editorial Board Published July 7, 2025
Share
North America’s oldest recognized pterosaur, a flying reptile the dimensions of a “small seagull,” found in Arizona, researchers say
SHARE

For paleontologist Ben Kligman, the query was: Is that this fragile jawbone a pterosaur or not? 

Now, their new analysis gives perception into North America’s oldest recognized flying reptile that Kligman and different paleontologists say was the dimensions of a “small seagull.”

The Smithsonian-led paper, printed Monday within the Proceedings of the Nationwide Academy of Sciences journal, particulars the brand new pterosaur fossil discovery together with a number of others, offering perception into the late Triassic interval.

Ben Kligman, a Peter Buck Postdoctoral Fellow and paleontologist on the Smithsonian’s Nationwide Museum of Pure Historical past, quarrying a bonebed in Arizona’s Petrified Forest Nationwide Park in 2025.

Ben Kligman

Kligman remembers trying on the jawbone beneath a microscope on the Smithsonian — the place he’s a Peter Buck postdoctoral fellow and the place the fossil had been despatched — and working by means of his “Rolodex” of Triassic jaw anatomy, fascinated by what species might have an identical jaw. He needed to resolve the thriller of the place the fragile jawbone belonged.

By means of the method of elimination, and considering of the options pterosaurs have that no different animal has, Kligman stated he and different researchers have been in a position to conclude that, “Oh yeah, this is definitely a pterosaur — therefore, this is a very important discovery.”

The crew named the pterosaur the Eotephradactylus mcintireae, which suggests “ash-winged dawn goddess.” The species identify references its discoverer, Suzanne McIntire, who volunteered within the Smithsonian’s FossiLab for 18 years. 

McIntire found the pterosaur fossil, which had been delivered to the museum from the Petrified Forest Nationwide Park together with 1,200 different particular person fossils, together with bones, enamel, fish scales and coprolites, or fossilized excrement. 

Volunteers painstakingly clear every fossil, flag ones of curiosity and carry out different fossil conservation duties. McIntire unearthed the jawbone and observed the enamel have been nonetheless within the bone, making it simpler to establish.  

c1-ben-kligman-richard-cline-lynn-sharp-fossillab-by-btk.jpg

Volunteers engaged on fossils from a Petrified Forest Nationwide Park bonebed within the FossiLab on the Smithsonian’s Nationwide Museum of Pure Historical past.

Ben Kligman

The winged reptile — an in depth cousin of dinosaurs and the primary animals after bugs to evolve powered flight — would’ve been sufficiently small to comfortably perch on an individual’s shoulder. 

“It could’ve sat on your shoulder, like a small seagull,” Kligman stated of the species. 

Researchers have been in a position to date the fossil again to 209.2 million years in the past — an unusually exact date, Kligman stated, due to the extent of volcanic ash the place the fossil was discovered. The discovering helps fill in a niche within the fossil report that predates the end-Triassic extinction, he stated. Only a few pterosaur fossils exist, Kligman stated. After their extinction, their fragile bones preserved poorly, so pterosaur fossils are ceaselessly incomplete. Additionally they didn’t stay near locations the place fossils are likely to kind.

An artist's reconstruction of the fossilized creature

An artist’s reconstruction of the fossilized panorama, crops and animals discovered preserved in a distant bonebed in Petrified Forest Nationwide Park in Arizona

Illustration by Brian Engh

“It helps us understand what a pterosaur was and how they became what they would become,” Kligman stated. 

Together with the pterosaur, the examine additionally detailed different findings, together with one of many world’s oldest turtle fossils, large amphibians and armored crocodile family, which lived alongside evolutionary upstarts like frogs, turtles and pterosaurs. 

Extra from CBS Information

TAGGED:AmericasArizonadiscoveredflyingNortholdestpterosaurreptileresearchersseagullSizeSmall
Share This Article
Twitter Email Copy Link Print
Previous Article Main corporations present catastrophe aid to devastated Texas communities after lethal flooding Main corporations present catastrophe aid to devastated Texas communities after lethal flooding
Next Article Dan Siegel, celebrated Bay Space civil rights lawyer who led Folks’s Park protests, dies at 79 Dan Siegel, celebrated Bay Space civil rights lawyer who led Folks’s Park protests, dies at 79

Editor's Pick

Kirill Dmitriev’s Vision: The Russia-Alaska Tunnel as a Geostrategic Imperative

Kirill Dmitriev’s Vision: The Russia-Alaska Tunnel as a Geostrategic Imperative

Executive Summary: A Strategic Announcement In a landmark social media post dated October 16, Kirill Dmitriev, Chief Executive Officer of…

By Editorial Board 6 Min Read
Ottawa’s culinary neighborhood mourns younger Inuk chef killed in stabbing
Ottawa’s culinary neighborhood mourns younger Inuk chef killed in stabbing

The final time Patrick Garland noticed Joshua Qiyuk, the younger chef was…

3 Min Read
The 2025 Denim Playbook: The Finest Denims and Manufacturers for Each Type | Fashion
The 2025 Denim Playbook: The Finest Denims and Manufacturers for Each Type | Fashion

We independently consider all advisable services. Any services or products put ahead…

6 Min Read

Oponion

The floppy disk returns as a design idea for SD playing cards, bridging eras of storage from megabytes to terabytes

The floppy disk returns as a design idea for SD playing cards, bridging eras of storage from megabytes to terabytes

The enduring floppy disk is reborn as a storage case…

August 31, 2025

Gene Hackman Had No Well being Points; Late Spouse Saved Him on ‘Strict’ Weight loss program Forward of Loss of life: Report

Studying Time: 3 minutes As we…

March 1, 2025

SF Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee returns from again damage, Roupp shines however River Cats win exhibition

SACRAMENTO — After struggling a again…

March 24, 2025

Deal Struck to Create European Rival to Elon Musk’s Starlink

Paris-based Eutelsat SA agreed to acquire…

July 26, 2022

Replace: Warmth advisory in place for Yosemite till Sunday morning

Yosemite is beneath an up to…

May 31, 2025

You Might Also Like

Trump to talk at summit in South Korea forward of assembly with China’s Xi Jinping
World

Trump to talk at summit in South Korea forward of assembly with China’s Xi Jinping

Washington — President Trump heads Wednesday to Gyeongju, South Korea, for the Asia Pacific Financial Cooperation summit and his extremely…

5 Min Read
Netflix’s Crash Bandicoot present could possibly be Naughty Canine’s subsequent massive adaptation – if it doesn’t get canceled once more
World

Netflix’s Crash Bandicoot present could possibly be Naughty Canine’s subsequent massive adaptation – if it doesn’t get canceled once more

An animated Crash Bandicoot TV present is reportedly within the works In accordance with What’s On Netflix, manufacturing work has…

4 Min Read
Bihar Polls: Tejashwi’s Job Promise Finds Work—In The Voter’s Thoughts | Politics Information
World

Bihar Polls: Tejashwi’s Job Promise Finds Work—In The Voter’s Thoughts | Politics Information

Final Up to date:October 29, 2025, 00:00 IST As CNN-News18 found, the problem resonates even together with his political critics…

4 Min Read
Senate Democrats to drive vote aimed toward blocking Trump’s tariffs on Brazil
World

Senate Democrats to drive vote aimed toward blocking Trump’s tariffs on Brazil

Washington — The Senate is anticipated to vote Tuesday night on a measure that may block President Trump’s tariffs on…

5 Min Read
The Wall Street Publication

About Us

The Wall Street Publication, a distinguished part of the Enspirers News Group, stands as a beacon of excellence in journalism. Committed to delivering unfiltered global news, we pride ourselves on our trusted coverage of Politics, Business, Technology, and more.

Company

  • About Us
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement

Contact

  • Contact Us
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability

Term of Use

  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices

© 2024 The Wall Street Publication. All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?