Scleromochlus and the early evolution of Pterosauromorpha

Foffa D, Dunne E, Nesbitt SJ, Butler RJ, Fraser NC, Brusatte SL, Farnsworth A, Lunt DJ, Valdes PJ, Walsh S, Barrett PM (2022)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2022

Journal

Nature Nature Research

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05284-x

Abstract

Pterosaurs, the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight, were key components of Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems from their sudden appearance in the Late Triassic until their demise at the end of the Cretaceous1–6. However, the origin and early evolution of pterosaurs are poorly understood owing to a substantial stratigraphic and morphological gap between these reptiles and their closest relatives6, Lagerpetidae7. Scleromochlus taylori, a tiny reptile from the early Late Triassic of Scotland discovered over a century ago, was hypothesized to be a key taxon closely related to pterosaurs8, but its poor preservation has limited previous studies and resulted in controversy over its phylogenetic position, with some even doubting its identification as an archosaur9. Here we use microcomputed tomographic scans to provide the first accurate whole-skeletal reconstruction and a revised diagnosis of Scleromochlus, revealing new anatomical details that conclusively identify it as a close pterosaur relative1 within Pterosauromorpha (the lagerpetid + pterosaur clade). Scleromochlus is anatomically more similar to lagerpetids than to pterosaurs and retains numerous features that were probably present in very early diverging members of Avemetatarsalia (bird-line archosaurs). These results support the hypothesis that the first flying reptiles evolved from tiny, probably facultatively bipedal, cursorial ancestors1.

Authors with CRIS profile

Emma Dunne Lehrstuhl für Paläoumwelt

Involved external institutions

Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) / 中国科学院 CN China (CN) University of Bristol GB United Kingdom (GB) National Museums Scotland (NMS) / Taigh-tasgaidh Nàiseanta na h-Alba GB United Kingdom (GB) University of Birmingham GB United Kingdom (GB) Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VirginiaTech) US United States (USA) (US) Natural History Museum London GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Foffa, D., Dunne, E., Nesbitt, S.J., Butler, R.J., Fraser, N.C., Brusatte, S.L.,... Barrett, P.M. (2022). Scleromochlus and the early evolution of Pterosauromorpha. Nature. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-022-05284-x

MLA:

Foffa, Davide, et al. "Scleromochlus and the early evolution of Pterosauromorpha." Nature (2022).

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