ptípusúak

Ptípusúak, also known as "pterosaurs," were a group of reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic era, from around 228 to 66 million years ago. They are notable for their unique adaptation of flying, which they achieved through a combination of features including a long, thin body, a membrane of skin stretched between their limbs and tail, and a long, pointed crest on their skulls. Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight, and they filled various ecological niches, including those of modern birds, bats, and even some marine mammals.

Pterosaurs are divided into two main groups: the Rhamphorhynchoidea and the Pterodactyloidea. The Rhamphorhynchoidea, which includes species like Rhamphorhynchus and Pterodactylus, were early pterosaurs with a more primitive wing structure. The Pterodactyloidea, which includes species like Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus, had more advanced wing structures and were more diverse in their adaptations.

Pterosaurs went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, likely due to a combination of factors including competition with birds, changes in climate, and the asteroid impact that is thought to have caused the mass extinction event. Despite their extinction, pterosaurs have left a significant fossil record, providing valuable insights into the evolution of flight and the diversity of life during the Mesozoic era.