The small wing bone was one in every of two found at Dinosaur Cove in Victoria’s southwest greater than 30 years in the past, however researchers are solely now confirming its origin.
One other partial pelvis bone discovered on the cove got here from an older pterosaur with a wingspan exceeding two metres.
The pterosaur, a cousin of the dinosaur, was a winged reptile that roamed throughout Victoria throughout the Mesozoic Period, greater than 66 million years in the past.
Pterosaurs lived in harsh, polar circumstances
Lead researcher Adele Pentland mentioned the species was uncommon, with just a few stays found worldwide.
“These bones give us a greater concept as to the place pterosaurs lived and the way huge they have been,” she mentioned.
A pterosaur fossil on the Pure Historical past Museum in London. Supply: AAP / Mary Evans / Pure Historical past Museum
Victoria was inside the polar circle on the time of the pterosaurs, with darkness overlaying the realm for weeks on finish throughout the cooler months.
“Regardless of these seasonally harsh circumstances, it’s clear that pterosaurs discovered a method to survive and thrive,” Ms Pentland mentioned.
Over 100 volunteers concerned
He mentioned it was fantastic to see the outcomes of their search after greater than 30 years.
The analysis was co-authored by researchers from Curtin’s Faculty of Earth and Planetary Sciences, the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Pure Historical past, Monash College and Museums Victoria Analysis Institute.
