New Pterosaur Discovered | The Institute for Creation Research

New Pterosaur Discovered
Pterosaurs were amazing flying reptiles that came in all shapes and sizes.1 Not surprisingly, when these bizarre creatures are found in the fossil record they are 100% flying reptiles. Some achieve the size of a fighter jet, such as Quetzalcoatlus discovered in Texas or Hatzegopteryx in Romania. Paleobiologists have recently discovered a new pterosaur (Afrotapejara zouhrii) in Africa belonging to a group called the tapejarids that were small to medium-sized toothless pterosaurs.2 This was just after the discovery of three new pterosaur species, also in Africa. The Tapejaridae is recognized by their large and strange sagittal crests.

Pterosaurs had at least eight different kinds of skulls. Some, such as Pterodaustro, had 500 flexible teeth. A study of their unique anatomy also reveals they had pointed jaws attached to a large head and long neck.

Is there any fossil evidence of how an unknown hypothetical non-flying reptile millions of years ago achieved a streamlined head and hollow bones in preparation for flight? There is none. Additionally the front legs of this “proto-pterosaur” would have to evolve into extremely aerodynamic wings. Such a strange scenario should document how the 4th finger of the hand would extend out to an amazing length while at the same time supporting a wing membrane. No transitional fossils recording such a change have been unearthed and evolutionists do not fully understand their ancestry.3

An exciting discovery in Brazil revealed “exceptionally well-preserved” pterosaur specimens that has “associated soft tissue and preserved integuments.”4 More soft tissue (i.e. collagen) from fossils allegedly millions of years old.

Creationists see pterosaurs (Pterosauria) as belonging to a created kind5 of aerial reptile. Clearly there are unique varieties, such as in canines, lizards, and sharks. Their fossils show they were suddenly and catastrophically buried not that long ago, as evidenced by pterosaur soft tissue discoveries.

Fossil evidence shows that pterosaurs didn’t evolve from “proto-pterosaur” ancestors. They were created by God and existed recently.

Stage image: Artwork of Afrotapejara zouhrii.
Stage image credit: Megan Jacobs, Baylor University, Texas. Copyright © 2020. Adapted for use in accordance with federal copyright (fair use doctrine) law. Usage by ICR does not imply endorsement of copyright holders.


References
1. Sherwin, F. 2005. Pterosaur! Acts & Facts. 34 (9).
2. Staff Writer. Fourth new pterosaur discovery in matter of weeks. Phys.org. Posted on phys.org April 2, 2020, accessed April 6, 2020.
3. Witton, M. 2013. Pterosaurs: Natural History, Evolution, Anatomy. Princeton University Press, 6.
4. Campos, H.B. and E. Kischlat, 2020. The tapejarid pterosaur Tupandactylus imperator from Crato Formation and the preservation of cranial integuments. Biorxiv.
5. Genesis 1.

*Mr. Sherwin is Research Associate is at ICR. He earned his master’s in zoology from the University of Northern Colorado.
The Latest
CREATION.LIVE PODCAST
Searching for Truth Across the Globe | Creation.Live Podcast:...
How can we bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of creation to others outside our small spheres of influence?   Host...

NEWS
Marine Mammals: Designed for Deep Diving
While you’re reading this, hold your breath. What is now happening is your blood is delivering the last of oxygenated blood cells to your tissues...

CREATION PODCAST
Humanity's Demise at the Hands of Genetic Entropy | The Creation...
Welcome to the fourth episode in a series called “The Failures of Old Earth Creationism.” Many Christians attempt to fit old earth...

NEWS
''Inside-Out'' Fossil is Amazingly Preserved
It is widely known that vast numbers of fossils—vertebrate and invertebrate—have been discovered incredibly well-preserved.1,2...

NEWS
The Resurrection and the Origin of Life
At Easter time we focus on the cardinal Christian doctrine of the Resurrection. Without the Resurrection, Christianity is a sham. The truth that Jesus...

NEWS
Is an Ancient Extinct Tree-Dweller Our Relative?
Human evolution has always been hazy with seemingly as many attempted explanations for how we evolved from animals as there are paleoanthropologists. Evolutionists...

NEWS
The Return of the Dire Wolf?
There’s been much recent excitement about the birth of three dire wolf (Aenocyon dirus) puppies by a Dallas-based biotech company: Colossal Bioscience....

CREATION PODCAST
Cracks in the Layers: Lake Suigetsu and the Old Earth Illusion...
Welcome to the third episode in a series called “The Failures of Old Earth Creationism.” Many Christians attempt to fit old earth...

NEWS
Fish Fossil Vomit
A rather unsavory news story recently appeared regarding fossilized vomit. Although it’s hardly dinner table conversation, it nonetheless supports...

NEWS
Dino Footprints Down Under
Dinosaur trackways1 are once again making the news. Australia is the setting of a remarkable series of dinosaur tracks attributed to ornithischian...