Pterosaurs (Pterosauria) were remarkable Mesozoic flying reptiles, not dinosaurs, that ruled the skies from the Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous. They used wing membranes stretched between elongated fingers, exhibited diverse forms from sparrow-sized to giant, and were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight, pioneering aerial ecosystems long before birds emerged.
- Pterosauria are extinct, specialized flying reptiles, distinct from birds and bats.
- Their wing structure was unique: a membrane supported primarily by an elongated fourth finger.
- They thrived as successful aerial vertebrates for over 150 million years alongside dinosaurs.
- Fossils show sophisticated adaptations: hollow bones, air sacs, pycnofibers (fur-like filaments), varied teeth, and sometimes crested skulls.
- Pterosaurs exploited diverse diets including fish, insects, and small land prey, reflected in their diverse fossil forms.
- The fossil record of Pterosauria spans about 228 to 66 million years ago (Late Triassic to end-Cretaceous).
Pterosaurs had a wing membrane stretched from a highly elongated fourth finger.
Pterosaurs were dominant flying reptiles during the Mesozoic Era, from the Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous.
What is a Pterosaur?
Pterosaurs were flying reptiles belonging to the clade Pterosauria, distinct from dinosaurs.
Pterosaurs belong to the group Pterosauria.
Pterosaurs were extraordinary Mesozoic flying reptiles of the group Pterosauria, distinct from dinosaurs. Their wings were formed by a membrane of skin and muscle stretching from an elongated fourth finger to their bodies, unlike bird feathers or bat membranes. They first appeared in the Late Triassic and soared through the skies until the end of the Cretaceous.
- Not true dinosaurs, but close relatives in Archosauria.
- Powered flight pioneers, predating birds.
- Fossil evidence shows both primitive and highly specialized forms.
- Adaptations included hollow bones and sometimes fur-like pycnofibers.
Pterosaurs lived from the Late Triassic through the end of the Cretaceous.
Source Material
Author: University of California Museum of Paleontology
Document: Pterosaurs
Date Published: 2024
Examples of Pterosaurs: Pterosauria
Pterodactylus and Quetzalcoatlus are pterosaurs, while Archaeopteryx (early bird) and Ichthyosaurus (marine reptile) are not.
Both Pterodactylus and Quetzalcoatlus are members of the clade Pterosauria.
Famous pterosaur genera include Pterodactylus (small, delicate flyers), Dimorphodon (early forms with strong jaws), and Quetzalcoatlus (giant azhdarchids with enormous wingspans). They exhibited incredible fossil diversity, from sparrow-sized creatures to giants rivaling small airplanes, reflecting broad ecological roles.
| Genus | Flight Style | Size Range | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pterodactylus | Soaring and flapping | Small (wingspan ~1m) | Slender jaw, numerous teeth |
| Dimorphodon | Powered flier | Medium (~1.4m wingspan) | Two types of teeth, robust skull |
| Quetzalcoatlus | Soaring | Giant (up to 10-11m) | Tall neck, toothless beak |
Source Material
Author: Natural History Museum, London
Document: Famous Pterosaurs
Date Published: 2024
Pterosaurs were pioneering, diverse, and highly successful flying reptiles that transformed our planet’s skies long before birds evolved.
- Defined by unique wing membranes and extraordinary fossil diversity.
- Flourished for over 150 million years in the Mesozoic Era.
- Key genera like Pterodactylus and Quetzalcoatlus showcase their evolutionary range.
Pterosaurs used a membrane stretched from an elongated finger for flight.
Pterosaurs lived from the Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous.
Pterodactylus and Quetzalcoatlus are pterosaurs; Archaeopteryx and Ichthyosaurus are not.