Scotland’s Shocking Find: Chinese Dinosaur Skeleton Unearthed

Scientists have unveiled the discovery of a pterosaur skeleton on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, dating back between 166 and 168 million years to the Middle Jurassic era. This groundbreaking find, detailed in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology on February 5, introduces Ceoptera evansae, a previously unknown species of winged dinosaur.

The discovery was made by a collaboration between the University of Bristol, the University of Leicester, the Natural History Museum, and the University of Liverpool. The initial discovery of Ceoptera evansae’s remains occurred in 2006 on a secluded beach near Loch Scavaig on the Isle of Skye’s Strathaird Peninsula. The team has since analyzed the partial skeleton, including fragments of the creature’s wings, shoulders, and spine, employing digital scanning techniques to uncover details of the skeleton trapped within the rock.

Ceoptera evansae is notable for being among the first pterosaur species to undergo complete digital preparation, setting a precedent in the study of ancient reptiles.

This species is categorized within the Darwinoptera group of pterosaurs, which was previously thought to be primarily located in China based on fossil discoveries. The unearthing of Ceoptera evansae in the UK has been described by Professor Paul Barrett from the Natural History Museum as an unexpected development, shedding light on the evolutionary timeline and geographic distribution of these ancient flying reptiles.

Dr. Liz Martin-Silverstone of the University of Bristol, the study’s lead author, emphasized the significance of this discovery for understanding pterosaur evolution. The period from which Ceoptera originates is crucial yet lacks extensive fossil records. The discovery of additional bones embedded in the rock, crucial for classifying Ceoptera, has made this find particularly valuable for piecing together the evolutionary history of advanced pterosaurs.