A new pterosaur from Skye, Scotland and the early diversification of flying reptiles

Abstract

The Middle Jurassic was a critical time in pterosaur evolution, witnessing the inception of major morphological innovations that underpinned successive radiations by rhamphorhynchids, basal monofenestratans and pterodactyloids. Frustratingly, this interval is particularly sparsely sampled, with a record consisting almost exclusively of isolated fragmentary remains. Here, we describe new material from the Bathonian-aged Kilmaluag Formation of Skye, Scotland, which helps to close this gap. REDACTED (gen. et sp. nov.) is based on a three-dimensionally preserved partial skeleton, which represents the first associated Middle Jurassic pterosaur. REDACTED is one of the first pterosaurs to be fully digitally prepared and CT scanning reveals multiple elements of the skeleton that remain fully embedded within the matrix, which are otherwise inaccessible. Novel anatomical features of this new Middle Jurassic pterosaur help to confirm the existence of the controversial clade Darwinoptera, greatly clarifying our understanding of Jurassic pterosaur evolution.