Скачать или смотреть World’s largest Jurassic pterodactyl fossil unearthed on Skye

A fossil unearthed on the Isle of Skye has been hailed as the largest Jurassic pterodactyl ever found.

Remains of the 170 million-year-old flying reptile – estimated to have had a wingspan of 2.5 metres – were discovered by a PhD student during an excavation in 2017.

Amelia Penny, from Edinburgh University, spotted its jaw protruding from the limestone layer on a tidal platform at Rubha nam Brathairean (known as Brothers’ Point).

The species has now been given the Gaelic name ‘Dearc sgiathanach’, which translates as ‘winged reptile’, and also references Skye, whose Gaelic name means ‘the winged isle’.

Professor Steve Brusatte, personal chair of palaeontology at Edinburgh University, said: “This is something that’s never been found here before and it is of global significance.

“There are very few pterosaurs of this age from anywhere in the world. It’s basically been a black hole in our understanding of their evolution.”

More here: https://i.stv.tv/3h4F6O7