The newly discovered fossils preserved 3D structures within the delicate wing bones, which typically are found flattened like pancakes within rock layers.
CT scans of the fossils provided a rare glimpse inside the wing bones belonging to two species of pterosaurs, including one new to science.
These are not unlike those found in the wing bones of modern birds that flap their wings to fly, Rosenbach said.
In contrast, spiral ridges within Arambourgiania’s wing bones resembled the interiors of vulture wing bones, which are thought to resist the forces associated with soaring.
“They represent the largest animals with the capacity to fly,” Rosenbach said of the extinct reptiles.
Persons:
Kierstin Rosenbach, It’s, Tal Inab, “, philadelphiae, Jordan, Rosenbach, ” Rosenbach, Kierstin, Monique Perez, Stacy Kaneko, Danielle Goodvin, Jeff Wilson Mantilla, ”, Michael Benton, Benton, “ It’s, Dr
Organizations:
CNN, University of Michigan, University of Michigan’s, of Paleontology, University of Bristol
Locations:
what’s, Jordan, Africa, Ann Arbor, Arambourgiania, United Kingdom