Scientists have discovered a new species of flying reptile that soared above the dinosaurs more than 200 million years ago. The pterosaur has been named Eotephradactylus mcintireae, meaning “ash-winged dawn goddess”. The fossilised jawbone of this ancient reptile was found in 2011 in Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park, but modern scanning techniques have now revealed that it belongs to an entirely new species. The research team was led by scientists at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. At about 209 million years old, this is now believed to be the earliest pterosaur found in North America. Dr. Ben Kligman explained, “The bones of Triassic pterosaurs are small, thin, and often hollow, so they tend to be destroyed before they can fossilize”.
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The creature was about the size of a small seagull and likely fed on armored fish, as indicated by wear patterns on its teeth. Its name reflects both the volcanic ash that preserved its bones and honors Suzanne McIntire, the volunteer who discovered the fossil.
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This pterosaur’s bones are fragile and rarely fossilise, making this discovery particularly rare and exciting. Using modern micro-CT scanning technology, scientists studied its jawbone and teeth, confirming it as a new species. This finding not only provides new insights into early flying reptiles but also suggests that more ancient pterosaur fossils could be awaiting discovery in similar rock formations worldwide.
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