Pterosaurs, the enigmatic flying reptiles that existed alongside dinosaurs, pose a fascinating evolutionary puzzle. These creatures emerge fully developed in the fossil record, some boasting impressive 33-foot wingspans, with scarce evidence of their ancestral predecessors. However, a recent discovery published in the esteemed journal Nature provides a rare glimpse into a group of reptiles closely related to pterosaurs.
Rodrigo Temp Müller, a paleontologist at Brazil’s Federal University of Santa Maria and a study author, describes this newfound fossil as a groundbreaking revelation. The fossil, discovered by Dr. Müller during fieldwork in Brazil’s southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul, immediately struck him as significant upon spotting a piece of thighbone protruding from the rust-red earth.
The thighbone belongs to a lagerpetid, a group called “rabbit reptiles.” Previously considered early dinosaur relatives, a study published in 2020 contradicted this notion, providing evidence that lagerpetids are actually more closely related to pterosaurs.
However, lagerpetid fossils, particularly those of their heads and hands, are exceptionally rare. In addition to the thighbone, Dr. Müller unearthed extensive remains, including the tip of a curved beak and a near-complete lower arm bearing scimitar blade-shaped claws. The sharp beaks and claws struck the paleontologists as highly unusual, shedding light on the previously unknown appearance of lagerpetids.
The newfound creature, named Venetoraptor gassenae by Dr. Müller and his colleagues, pays tribute to its discovery near Vale Vêneto, its raptor-like features, and the contributions of Valserina Maria Bulegon Gassen, a pivotal figure in establishing the Federal University of Santa Maria’s paleontology center. Venetoraptor gassenae measured approximately three feet long, tail included, and weighed between nine and 18 pounds during its existence 230 million years ago. Much like other early reptiles, it is likely that its skin was adorned with feather-like filaments. Its hooked beak remains shrouded in mystery, akin to similar structures in modern birds that serve a range of functions from flesh-tearing to mate attraction or fruit consumption.
Unlike its pterosaur relatives, Venetoraptor was not capable of flight. However, Dr. Müller postulates that its large hands and curved claws may have facilitated tree climbing, a behavior that could have eventually led to jumping between branches, gliding, and ultimately, true flight.
Analyzing Venetoraptor’s skeletal traits and comparing them with other Triassic reptiles revealed a greater diversity among the precursors of dinosaurs and pterosaurs than previously believed. This study challenges the long-standing assumption that earlier forms were simpler and destined for extinction to make way for more evolved dinosaurs and pterosaurs.
Emma Dunne, a paleontologist unaffiliated with the study, frequently employs pterosaurs to exemplify the murkiness surrounding their origins in her teachings. Thus, she hails this discovery as a significant contribution to our understanding of the pterosaur family tree. Dr. Dunne, who also investigates the lingering impact of colonialism in paleontology, praises the fact that the research team consists largely of Brazilian and South American scientists. She emphasizes the importance of conducting this research in the very countries that house the specimens, allowing knowledge to flow through the appropriate channels and fostering more extensive and diverse collaborative networks.
As a Brazilian scientist, Dr. Müller hopes that people recognize the significance of Brazilian fossils, ultimately elevating the importance of scientific research within Brazil.
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