The most complete skull of a pterosaur species has been discovered in Paraná Sciences

The creature, found at a site known as Simetrio dos Pterosaurs, had a wingspan of more than two meters and is the first Brazilian pterosaur described outside the northeast region. Although the Cretaceous species had already been described in 2014, the find is significant because bones consisting mainly of Skull were not known.

The work was carried out by researchers from the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro and Lucas Canigo and Alexander Kellner, in partnership with Louise Weinschutz, Joao HZ Ricci and Everton Willner, from Universidad do Constado in Mafra (SC); and Borja Holgado from Kariri Regional University (CE).

The study also describes other new samples from C. dobruskii, which reveal unprecedented properties. Quality of material saved by quantity fossils Being a Caiuajara provides us with a rare possibility to understand how these animals evolved throughout their lives and even imagine how males differ from females,” Canigo says, in a statement.

By analyzing the material, it is possible to distinguish between at least two patterns of skulls. According to the researcher, the dirty master’s thesis was the basis of the research. This can be explained, he explains, by possible sexual dimorphism—that is, by distinguishing between males and females.

“The analysis of the new material reveals information that we would not normally have access to in extinct groups, because in the vast majority of cases individuals are rescued in isolation, which makes it difficult or even impossible to compare several specimens of the same species,” says Canejo.

All the material collected in the field in 2014 was prepared over subsequent years, which revealed new Pterosaur specimens He told more about the anatomy of flying reptiles.

According to Weinschütz, the excavation site formed a large desert area (Kaiwa Desert), where Jim Dubrosky It coexists with other vertebrates around wetlands, composing Potential oasis.

Since the beginning of the excavations, a class of lizards (South American Joragama) , Two types of dinosaurs 🇧🇷Paranoid Vespersaurus And the Berthasaura leopoldinae) and other species of pterosaurs belong to another family (Keresdrakon vilsoni🇧🇷

“In such a short time, a large number of animals have already been described to the site and we’re just beginning to scratch the surface of the outcrop,” Willner says.