Kacey Farnsworth
Biology 1610
A new species of pterosaur was discovered in Chubut Province,
(Patagonia, Argentina). The scientists are very excited because this specimen’s
cranial remains were in very very good condition, this provided new information
on the origin, tempo and evolution of the species and the entire Pterosaur
group. The new species was named Allkauren Koi meaning ancient brain, in native
Tehuelche. The dinosaur was dated back to the Early Jurassic, unlike many of
the other species in the Pterosaur group which date to the Mesozoic Era. Many
from this group were equipped with pneumatic bones and elongated digits to
support wing membranes. But very little is known about their neuroanatomy,
until now there was almost no information on the inner ear or cranial endocast.
This Allkauren Koi shows intermediate brain evolution of Pterosaurs and
adaption to flying, meaning there were others from this group before and after
this species time.
I thought this article was interesting because many times we
forget we haven’t discovered everything in the world. It is humbling to be
reminded that we haven’t seen everything in the world or found even the
beginning to some mysteries. I have always been fascinated by dinosaurs and
paleontology. Some of the things we have learned from bones is amazing, who
would have known we could learn so much from a hunk of rock.
I also find this article extremely interesting. In the article, you mentioned that until now, we didn't have a lot of information about the inner ear or cranial endocast. We are still discovering and learning things from species that lived millions of years ago. You even mentioned that this specific dinosaur dated back to the Early Jurassic era, whereas most dinosaurs in that group date back to the Mesozoic Era. We continue to learn and grow every single day. This is a great article. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteC.W.
I also have always enjoyed learning about dinosaurs and fossils. I agree with you that knowing, or being reminded, that we do not know everything is always humbling. What I think is even more interesting is when we find out something that CHANGES what we think we know. That, to me, is even more humbling. I wonder if with this discovery, paleontology will change what it presumed it knew about pterosaurs. I feel there is much, especially with paleontology, that we theorize based off what little we know.
ReplyDelete- Alex G.
That's really cool that the cranial remains were able to shed some light and more knowledge about the species! I feel like I always here about bone fossils but i've never heard of a brain fossil. That's quite the discovery!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was cool, because it relates a lot to what we have been discussing in class. We have been talking a lot about how species develop, and I think this new discovery could probably fill in a lot of gaps and answer a lot of questions regarding the evolution of this particular species. It could also help us to discover what species we see today may have developed from the Pterosaurs.
ReplyDeleteMy toddler son is passionate about dinosaurs. I'm beyond thrilled to hear that we are still digging up new ones! The world hasn't been completely discovered yet- it may feel like we've already done so much, but there is tons more that we can't imagine out there.
ReplyDeleteHW