pterosaurier

Pterosaurs, also known as pterodactyls, are a group of reptiles that lived from the late Triassic period to the end of the Cretaceous period, approximately 230 to 66 million years ago. They are distinguished by their wing-like membranes that extended from their arms to their hips, allowing them to fly. Pterosaurs are not dinosaurs; they belong to a separate group of reptiles called the Archosaurs. The first pterosaur fossils were discovered in Germany in the 19th century, and since then, thousands of specimens have been found around the world.

Pterosaurs ranged in size from small creatures like the 20 cm (8 in) long Anurognathus to the largest known flying animal, Quetzalcoatlus, which had a wingspan of up to 11 meters (36 ft). Their bodies were lightweight and streamlined, with long, thin limbs and a long, narrow skull. Pterosaurs had a variety of diets, including carnivorous, insectivorous, and herbivorous species. Some pterosaurs had teeth, while others had beaks or even no teeth at all.

The evolution of pterosaurs is still a topic of ongoing research. Some scientists believe that pterosaurs evolved from a group of flying reptiles called the Pterodactyloidea, while others suggest that they may have evolved from a group of non-avian dinosaurs called the Pterosauria. Regardless of their evolutionary origins, pterosaurs played a significant role in the ecosystems of the Mesozoic era, and their fossils provide valuable insights into the diversity and adaptations of early flying vertebrates.