Triassic pterosaurs

Abstract

Pterosaurs are a clade of highly specialized, volant archosauromorphs recorded from the Upper Triassic to the uppermost Cretaceous. Problematic remains referred to the Pterosauria are reported from the Triassic of Europe and both North and South America, but unequivocal pterosaur specimens are only known from the Alps (Italy, Austria and Switzerland: Preondactylus buffarinii, Austriadactylus cristatus, Peteinosaurus zambellii, Eudimorphodon ranzii, Carniadactylus rosenfeldi, Caviramus schesaplanensis and Raeticodactylus filisurensis) and Greenland (‘Eudimorphodon’ cromptonellus). Pterosaurs are diagnosed mostly by features associated with the advent of powered flight. They are generally considered to be archosaurians more closely related to dinosaurs than to crocodilians, but non-archosaurian positions have also been proposed. There is a lack of general agreement about ingroup relationships, particularly among the basal pterosaurs. Triassic pterosaurs differ from other non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs in features of the dentition and caudal vertebral column. A ‘Big Bang’ model for their early history fits better with the fossil record: the earliest unequivocal pterosaurs show a sudden and geographically limited appearance in the fossil record, as well as a relatively high burst of diversity and considerable morphologic disparity. Absence of pterosaur remains from deposits where they are expected to be found suggests that they had not yet evolved in pre-Norian times.

Pterosaur dietary hypotheses: a review of ideas and approaches

“…These pterosaurs exhibit 0.6–1.5 m wingspans, disproportionately large heads and heterodont, monocuspid dentitions (Fig. A) (Wild, ; Wellnhofer, ; Dalla Vecchia, , ). They are largely interpreted as insectivorous and less frequently as piscivorous and carnivorous (Fig.…”

“…). Rapid jaw closure, suggested by adductor muscle reconstructions, may have helped in the capture of small vertebrates (Ősi, ; Dalla Vecchia, ). Morphological reassessments of Dimorphodon forelimbs and pectoral girdle suggest an erect posture which would have facilitated terrestrial foraging for small vertebrates (Witton, ).…”

“…These pterosaurs exhibit 0.7–1.8 m wingspans and some form of heterodont and/or multi‐cusped dentition (Fig. C) (Wild, ; Padian, ; Ősi, ; Dalla Vecchia, ). Campylognathoidids are most commonly interpreted as pisciviorous, with insectivory, carnivory, durophagy, herbivory/frugivory and generalism also suggested (Fig.…”

Design Optimization of Flapping Ornithopters: The Pterosaur Replica in Forward Flight

“…3. For a root flapping motion with no spanwise bending, the plunging motion is given by ht; y yγt Γy cosωt (1) where γ represents the section's dihedral (flapping) angle, Γ represents its amplitude, and ω is the flapping frequency. The dynamic twist is linearly proportional to the span according to the following relation:…”

“…Their origin remained a mystery until, in 1801, George Cuvier discovered that the fossils belonged to a flying reptile. Katsufumi Sato, a Japanese scientist, did calculations using modern birds and concluded that it was impossible for a pterosaur to stay aloft [1]. Most of the many studies on pterosaurs describe the fossil remains, and discuss how a new specimen updates the current knowledge base.…”