Paleontologists have found that efficient terrestrial mobility allowed ancient pterosaurs to evolve to gigantic sizes, switch from living in trees to terrestrial lifestyles, and use unique feeding strategies. Palaeontologists from the Center for Paleobiology and Biosphere Evolution at the University of Leicester have identified evolutionary adaptations that allowed ancient pterosaurs to reach enormous sizes. They found that the ability to walk efficiently on the ground played a crucial role in determining how large the largest flying animals could grow, with some having wingspans of up to 10 metres.

Terrestrial adaptations of pterosaurs

In a recently published study Current BiologyA team of researchers led by the University of Leicester studied the arms and legs of pterosaurs from around the world and their entire evolutionary history.

They found a surprising level of diversity similar to that seen among living birds. This discovery shows that pterosaurs were not limited to life in the sky, but adapted to a wide range of terrestrial lifestyles, from tree climbing in early species to a more terrestrial lifestyle in later species.

Diversity of pterosaur lifestyles

The evolution of pterosaurs, the first true flying vertebrates, demonstrates some of the most remarkable adaptations in the history of life. While these creatures are best known for their ability to soar through the prehistoric skies of the Mesozoic Era (252-66 million years ago), a new study has revealed a surprisingly high degree of diversity in where and how pterosaurs lived in times when pterosaurs did not exist. from the air

“Early pterosaurs were highly specialized in climbing, with extreme modifications to their arms and legs similar to those found today in climbing lizards and birds such as woodpeckers. Holding vertical surfaces with your fingertips for long periods of time is a difficult task; it is much easier for small, light animals,” he explained. Lead author Robert Smith, a postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Palaeobiology and Biosphere Evolution (School of Geography, Geology and Environment) at the University of Leicester.

Changes in mobility and size of pterosaurs

These early pterosaurs were probably restricted to arboreal habitats and thus had small body sizes. However, during the Middle Jurassic period, a major evolutionary change occurred in which the arms and legs of pterosaurs changed and became more similar to the arms and legs of land animals. These adaptations to terrestrial movements have led to a wide variety of feeding strategies, opening up new ecological opportunities. Freedom from the size limitations imposed by vertical life allowed some pterosaurs to reach gigantic sizes, with wingspans of up to 10 meters.

Co-author Dr. from the University of Leicester. David Unwin added: ‘In early pterosaurs the hind legs were connected by a flight membrane that severely hindered walking and running. In later, more advanced pterosaurs, this membrane split along the midline, allowing each hind limb to move independently. This was a major innovation, along with changes to the limbs that greatly increased the mobility of pterosaurs on land.

“Freed from the constraints of climbing, these later pterosaurs could reach enormous sizes, with some species developing into true Mesozoic giants.”

Soil adaptations and ecological niches

Hand and foot details provide a clear return. In early pterosaurs, the bones at the bases of the fingers and toes were relatively short, while the bones away from the body were quite long, ending in large, curved claws; together these changes created a strong grip and were ideal for climbing. In contrast, later, more advanced pterosaurs showed the opposite pattern: Bones near the bases of the fingers and toes were much longer, while those near the tips were shorter. Its claws were also straighter and less curved; This showed that they were better adapted to walking rather than climbing.

Smith added: “These discoveries highlight the need to study all aspects of pterosaur movements, not just flight, to fully understand the evolution of pterosaurs. The ability of pterosaurs to fly is only part of their story. By studying how they lived in trees or on the ground, we can understand what role they played in ancient ecosystems.”

When pterosaurs appeared on earth, various animals, including dinosaurs and many other reptiles, were already living here. Pterosaurs cleverly avoided competition from these sedentary groups by exploiting ecological niches that required both flying and walking. This has led to some strange feeding strategies, such as the development of hundreds of fine needle-like teeth used for filter feeding. This remarkable feature, which resembles the diet of modern-day flamingos, emerged at least 120 million years before the first flamingos appeared.