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Pterosaur

From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science

Pterosaurs

Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Subphylum: Vertebrata Class: Sauropsida Order: Pterosauria
Suborders
Rhamphorhynchoidea Pterodactyloidea

1 Introduction
2 Anatomy
3 Reproduction
4 Ecology
5 Geography
6 Recent Sightings
7 20th Century Sightings
8 Related References
9 See Also

Introduction

"For use in understanding the evolution of vertebrate flight, the early record of pterosaurs and bats is disappointing: Their most primitive representatives are fully transformed as capable fliers." Paul C. Sereno, The evolution of dinosaurs, Science 284(5423):2137–2147 (quote on p. 2143), June 25, 1999.

Anatomy

These creatures are not scientifically classified as dinosaurs: more like flying lizards, but they have unique characteristics that set them apart from reptiles, birds, and bats. Their size varied greatly, from as small as a small bird to as large as small aircraft. Fossil evidence tells us that many of them possessed long, narrow beaks and sharp teeth.[1] Some species had wingspans larger than eight feet, and it is believed that all but the largest of the species were capable of powered flight (flapping the wings, instead of just gliding). Some scientists believe that pterosaurs continued growing throughout their lives and that individuals of one species may have attained a wingspan as great as eighteen meters. [2] Research also indicates that some species, such as the Sordes Pilosus, had hair or fur similar to that of mammals. [3]

Pterosaurs are divided into two distinct types: Rhamphorhynchoids (long-tailed) and Pterodactyloids (short-tailed). The difference is in more than tail-length: tail structures differ, and the head connects to the neck differently.

Reproduction

Recent discoveries have illustrated that pterosaurs laid eggs.[4]

Ecology

Researchers have suggested that the pterosaur had specialized flight, vision and hunting skills, sweeping out of the air and snaring a fish out of water much like predatory eagles do. Based on skull analysis of two specimens, scientists discovered enlarged and enhanced neurological structure twice the size of modern-day birds, which they suspect gave the pterosaur the ability for excellent aerobatic flight.[5]

Geography

At first, paleontologists believed that pterosaurs inhabited only portions of Europe. Later, their fossils were found in North America, South American, Africa, and Australia. Recent discoveries showed that pterosaurs' ranged as far as China.[6] This in contrast to earlier beliefs about the spread of pterosaurs; paleontologist Alexander Kellner (Museu Nacional in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) stated that the Chinese distribution "shows a much higher diversity in pterosaur groups than one could possibly expect,"[7] while others writing in the journal Nature said the "unexpected mixture of different pterosaur groups in these Chinese deposits indicates a very complex evolutionary history of pterosaurs in general, which is just beginning to be deciphered."[8] This conclusion is based on standard models of evolution.

Recent Sightings

Recently, cryptozoologists have been investigating pterosaur sightings, based partially on the idea that living Rhamphorhynchoid pterosaurs are mentioned in the Bible.

According to a 2006 press release, "Intermittent expeditions on Umboi Island, Papua New Guinea, from 1994 through 2004, resulted in the compilation of eyewitness testimonies that substantiated a hypothesis that pterosaurs may not be extinct." [9]

Such claims might be bolstered by the discovery of a pterosaur fossil in Queensland, Australia. [10]. Palaeontologist Alex Cook made the discovery in 2004, and called it one of the "most exquisitely preserved" specimens in the world. Queensland is just south of the New Guinea area.

In 2005, a nearly-inaccessible region of the island of New Guinea, the Foja Mountains was the object of a scientific expedition in which scientists documented dozens of new species that were unafraid of humans, and were previously unknown to scientists.[11]

Late in 2006, in a remote mountainous area of Papua New Guinea, a creationist explorer, Paul Nation, recorded 17 seconds of digital video of what investigators believe is evidence for the bioluminescence of creatures called "indava" and "ropen." They also believe that these are Rhamphorhynchoid (long-tailed) pterosaurs. (One local villager described the indava's size: like a small airplane.) Early in March, 2007, a physicist completed his report on his findings on this video footage: The lights were not produced through a hoax and they were not of any campfire, airplane lights, or meteors. They were also shown to not be from camera artifacts.[12]