Oldest North American Pterosaur Fossil Unearthed
2025-07-19
A Smithsonian-led team has discovered North America's oldest known pterosaur fossil in Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park. Dating back 209 million years to the late Triassic period, this seagull-sized pterosaur, along with hundreds of other fossils including one of the world's oldest turtles, reveals a vibrant ecosystem existing just before the end-Triassic extinction event. The discovery fills a crucial gap in the fossil record, showcasing a unique blend of ancient and modern vertebrate groups coexisting. The pterosaur's worn teeth suggest a diet of armored fish found in the area's braided river system.
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