Researchers in Australia have confirmed that pterosaur bones discovered over 30 years ago are the oldest of their kind in the country, dating back 107 million years. The fossils, examined in a study published in Historical Biology, belonged to two individuals, including a juvenile pterosaur, which is the first of its kind found in Australia. The findings, led by Dr. Tom Rich and Professor Pat Vickers-Rich from Museums Victoria, were based on a partial pelvis and a small wing bone discovered in Dinosaur Cove, Victoria.
This research sheds light on how these flying reptiles adapted to harsh polar conditions during the Cretaceous Period, a time when Australia was located within the polar circle. The team speculates about the breeding habits of pterosaurs under such challenging climates, questioning whether they migrated north to breed or adapted to survive in polar environments. The discovery also provides insights into the size and distribution of pterosaurs in high-palaeolatitude locations. The study involved the efforts of over 100 volunteers who excavated the fossils from a seaside cliff, emphasizing the significance of both the findings and the collaborative work involved in this paleontological research.
