Ancient fish-eating pterosaur found in Germany

Michael Marshall, environment reporter

(Image: Naturkunde-Museum Bamberg/DPA/Corbis)

A new species of pterosaur, the flying reptiles that lived alongside the dinosaurs, has been discovered in Germany. It dates from the late Jurassic period, around 155 million years ago, making it one of the oldest pterosaurs known.

The skeleton, excavated last year in the Bamberg district of Germany, is beautifully preserved. The animal had unusually long arms and legs, ideal for wading in water. Its jaws were shaped like the beak of a flamingo, allowing it to filter small organisms from the water. Those must have included fish, the remains of which were found in its stomach.

The specimen is going on display at the Bamberg Natural History Museum.

Source: http://feeds.newscientist.com/c/749/f/10897/s/231114e7/l/0L0Snewscientist0N0Cblogs0Cshortsharpscience0C20A120C0A90Cancient0Efish0Eeating0Epterosaur0Bhtml0DDCMP0FOTC0Erss0Gnsref0Fonline0Enews/story01.htm

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