Chile scientists discover 160 mn years old winged lizard in country's coastal area

Scientists from  University of Chile have announced discovery of  remains of  Jurassic-era 'winged lizard', scientifically known as rhamphorhynchine pterosaur. As per reports by Bolivar Commercial, fossil is first-ever finding of winged dinosaur in sourn hemisphere. confirmation took place 12 years after original discovery as scientists h uneard it back in 2009. 

Tracing history of 'wing dinosaur'

observations by Chile University's researcher Jhonatan Alarcón have suggested that winged dinosaur lived about 160 million years ago in territory of modern Atacama Desert. Reportedly, pterosaur was first creature to drift over Gondwana land,  prehistoric supercontinent that eventually split into Africa, South America, Australia, Antarctica, Indian subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula. 

Alarcón noted that fossil of lizard pointed at features such as a low he and long snout, pointed forward teeth, a long tail with a peculiar rhombus-shaped ending and a wingspan of about two meters. He suggested that distribution of animals in this group was wider than what was known. Published in journal Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, declared it is oldest known pterosaur in Chile.

palaeontologist stated that although pterosaurs have been found in South America in past, this discovery is first in Chile. Besides, fossil is preserved in a rare three-dimensional way, as pterosaurs generally get crushed owing to delicacy of ir pneumatic bones meant for air movement.

More about 12-year-old discovery of winged lizard

fossil was, reportedly, found by Museum of Natural and Cultural History of Atacama Desert's director, Osvaldo Rojas in 2009, during an expedition to town of Cerritos Bayos in Atacama Desert. desert is known for several ground-breaking paleontological discoveries as it was a vast home to  marine fauna when South America was part of Gondwana mega continent, during Jurrasic era's end.

forthcoming analysis confirmed that discovered fossil was that of an extraordinary reptile with wings, and not just any marine animal. Interestingly, finding partly aquatic lizard in a coastal ecosystem presented a background on strong link between fauna of Gondwana. 

(IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK)