Recent research from the University of Bristol indicates that pterosaurs, the first vertebrates to master powered flight, likely exhibited a broader variety of wing shapes and flight styles than what current fossil reconstructions suggest.
Walters et al. examined the diversity of pterosaur wing shapes through rigorous testing of theoretical and reconstructed wings. Their findings indicate previous reconstructions misrepresent the actual flight capabilities of these ancient reptiles. Image credit: Mark P. Witton.
Pterosaurs thrived from approximately 210 million to 65 million years ago, until an asteroid impact led to their extinction, along with that of non-avian dinosaurs.
These remarkable reptiles are noteworthy for independently evolving flight and setting new records for maximum size among flying vertebrates throughout their evolutionary journey.
However, the precise shapes of pterosaur wings remain largely elusive.
According to lead author Dr. Benton Walters and his team, “Wing shape is crucially connected to flight performance and functionality in living animals.”
“Examining this relationship in pterosaurs is complex due to the incomplete fossil record and the variability in wing membrane dimensions.”
“In the absence of fully preserved pterosaur wing fossils, reconstructing the pterosaur bauplan provides a viable alternative for analysis.”
“Nevertheless, the shape of these wings is influenced by conflicting scientific interpretations and the artistic styles of researchers and illustrators involved in their reconstruction.”
In their recent study, the authors analyzed 79 wing reconstructions spanning eight genera including Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus.
Utilizing a method known as theoretical morphospace, they created a comprehensive map of potential wing shapes.
This allowed them to evaluate the aerodynamic capabilities of these reconfigured wings to ascertain their suitability for flight.
Results revealed that current illustrations tend to oversimplify wing shapes and aerodynamic performance, irrespective of the depicted animals’ size, age, or ecological niche.
A small insect peddler and a large sea soarer—organisms that would have differed significantly in wing structure—appear nearly identical in existing representations.
The main challenge, according to the researchers, lies in the ongoing lack of consensus regarding the attachment points of pterosaur wing membranes.
“In modern flying animals like birds and bats, distinct lifestyles correlate with unique wing designs and aerodynamic abilities,” Dr. Walters noted.
“The current limitations in pterosaur reconstructions highlight a significant gap in the understanding of their diversity.”
“Pterosaur wing reconstructions typically rely on measurements of skeletal structures and insights from a limited number of notable fossils, leaving many uncertainties unresolved.”
Considering these creatures existed for more than 100 million years and encompassed both small and large forms, a greater diversity of wing shapes is expected.
However, regardless of the specific pterosaur depicted, the wing shapes presented in illustrations are strikingly similar.
This study serves as a valuable reference point, indicating where scientific knowledge on pterosaur wings remains insufficient and will inform future reconstructions as our understanding evolves.
A detailed research paper outlining this study was published on June 23 in the journal Paleontology.
_____
Benton Walters et al. Exploring the limits of pterosaur wing design. Paleontology. Published online June 23, 2026. doi: 10.1017/pab.2026.10103
Source: www.sci.news
