1. Cretaceous-era flying reptile in Australia
2. Flying reptile identified in Australia.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
Haliskia peterseni, depicted by artist Gabriel Ugueto, has been unveiled as a newly discovered species of pterosaur, a formidable flying reptile that existed during the mid-Cretaceous era. The fossilized remains of this prehistoric creature were found in western Queensland, Australia, shedding light on the diverse ancient fauna that once roamed the Earth.
Unearthed in 2021 by Kevin Petersen, curator at the Kronosaurus Korner museum, the 100-million-year-old bone fragment led researchers from Curtin University in Western Australia to classify it as belonging to Haliskia peterseni, a novel genus and species of anhanguerian pterosaur. This groundbreaking discovery was detailed in a recent news release by the university.
The identification of Haliskia peterseni as an anhanguerian pterosaur was made possible by the distinctive features of its skull, teeth arrangement, and shoulder bone structure. The findings were documented in a peer-reviewed study published in the esteemed journal Scientific Reports by Springer Nature.
Anhanguerians, known for their widespread presence in regions such as Brazil, Britain, Morocco, China, Spain, and the United States, were a prominent group of pterosaurs during the Cretaceous period.
Measuring approximately 15 feet in wingspan, Haliskia peterseni was a formidable predator in its ancient habitat, which was largely submerged under an inland sea around central western Queensland. Lead researcher Adele Pentland, a doctoral student at Curtin University, highlighted the significance of this discovery in enhancing our understanding of prehistoric ecosystems.
The meticulous preparation of the fossil specimen by Kevin Petersen revealed the most complete anhanguerian pterosaur remains ever discovered in Australia. With 22% completeness, Haliskia peterseni surpasses the previous partial pterosaur skeleton found in the region, showcasing vital anatomical details such as lower and upper jaws, teeth, vertebrae, ribs, wing bones, and leg fragments.
Notably, the specimen also includes delicate throat bones indicative of a muscular tongue, which aided the pterosaur in feeding on fish and cephalopods. This comprehensive fossil specimen adds to the rich collection of marine fossils at Kronosaurus Korner, a museum located in northern Queensland.
Aside from Haliskia peterseni, the museum boasts impressive displays of marine reptiles such as the mighty Kronosaurus queenslandicus, the largest marine reptile with a skull measuring nearly 8 feet in length. Visitors can also marvel at other remarkable specimens like the complete plesiosaur and bones from Eromangasaurus and Platypterygius.
Kevin Petersen expressed his excitement over the Haliskia discovery, emphasising its significance in advancing scientific knowledge, educational outreach, and boosting regional tourism. The unveiling of this new species adds a fascinating chapter to the ever-evolving narrative of prehistoric life on Earth.
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1. Cretaceous-era flying reptile
2. New species of flying reptile identified in Australia.
