The fossilized remains of a new species of pterosaur were discovered in the Andes Mountains and scientists are calling it the “Dragon of Death.” This 30-foot-long predator ruled the skies 86 million years ago.
The news comes from a press release from the National University of Cuyo. The “Dragon of Death,” also known as Thanatosdrakon amaru, was found in Argentina's western Mendoza province's Andes mountains. Scientists discovered around 40 well-preserved remains including vertebrae and fore and hind limb bones.
The study was published online in April, and a 1:1 recreation of the newly discovered species has drawn attention to the newly published findings.
Some of the bones have unique characteristics unseen in pterosaurs previously, and these remains are the largest pterosaur ever discovered in South America.
It was these characteristics that led to the deadly name for the newly discovered species. Thanatous is ancient Greek for death while drakon means dragon.
Pterosaurs were flying reptiles with hollow bones and the earliest vertebrates to have powered flights. Their often enormous size helped them to rule the skies. Oftentimes, they are confused with dinosaurs, which are a closely related group.
Pterosaurs came in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Over the years, many remains have been found of these fearsome flying creatures. Some were larger than the “Dragon of Death” while some were as smaller than a chicken. The newly discovered pterosaur is the largest one to be discovered in South America.
New fossil discoveries are always happening all across the world. Earlier this month, paleontologists shared their findings on the remains of a long-extinct dog species.
Casey is a freelance writer for IGN. You can usually find him talking about JRPGs on Twitter at @caseydavidmt.
Image Credit: GettyImages
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The news comes from a press release from the National University of Cuyo. The “Dragon of Death,” also known as Thanatosdrakon amaru, was found in Argentina's western Mendoza province's Andes mountains. Scientists discovered around 40 well-preserved remains including vertebrae and fore and hind limb bones.
The study was published online in April, and a 1:1 recreation of the newly discovered species has drawn attention to the newly published findings.
Some of the bones have unique characteristics unseen in pterosaurs previously, and these remains are the largest pterosaur ever discovered in South America.
It was these characteristics that led to the deadly name for the newly discovered species. Thanatous is ancient Greek for death while drakon means dragon.
Pterosaurs were flying reptiles with hollow bones and the earliest vertebrates to have powered flights. Their often enormous size helped them to rule the skies. Oftentimes, they are confused with dinosaurs, which are a closely related group.
Pterosaurs came in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Over the years, many remains have been found of these fearsome flying creatures. Some were larger than the “Dragon of Death” while some were as smaller than a chicken. The newly discovered pterosaur is the largest one to be discovered in South America.
New fossil discoveries are always happening all across the world. Earlier this month, paleontologists shared their findings on the remains of a long-extinct dog species.
Casey is a freelance writer for IGN. You can usually find him talking about JRPGs on Twitter at @caseydavidmt.
Image Credit: GettyImages
Continue reading...