In a quarry in Oberfranken, Germany, researchers from the University of Portsmouth and the State Natural History Collections of Bavaria (SNSB) have discovered an unusual species of pterosaur with teeth that had fine hooks. The discovery suggests that these creatures may have used a hunting technique similar to that of modern whales. The pterosaur, named Balaenognathus maeuseri, had long legs and a spoon-shaped beak with over 400 partially hook-shaped teeth. This is unusual for pterosaurs, which typically do not have teeth in their mouths. The researchers believe that the creature used its teeth to catch small crabs.
The discovery of Balaenognathus maeuseri is significant because it provides new insights into the hunting techniques of pterosaurs. The creature’s teeth are similar to those of modern whales, which use baleen plates to filter food from the water. The researchers believe that Balaenognathus maeuseri used its teeth to catch small crustaceans, such as crabs and shrimp, in shallow lagoons. The discovery also sheds light on the environment in which the creature lived, which was a flat lagoon landscape in Oberfranken, Germany, approximately 154 million years ago.
The well-preserved skeleton of Balaenognathus maeuseri is now on display at the Natural History Museum in Bamberg, Germany. The researchers believe that the creature was quickly preserved after its death, as all of its joints and ligaments were still intact. The discovery of this unusual pterosaur species provides new insights into the evolution and behavior of these ancient creatures, and highlights the importance of continued research into the history of life on Earth.
