Disastrous fate for infant pterosaurs from Bavaria amidst the storm?

Baby Pterosaurs from Bavaria Faced Extreme Weather Conditions? - Bizarre Demise in the Tempest - Query over Fatality of Bavarian Infant Flying Reptiles?

In a groundbreaking study, a British research team has uncovered evidence suggesting that small pterosaurs living near islands may have been repeatedly blown over lagoons by powerful storms during the Jurassic period. The findings, based on the discovery of hundreds of well-preserved pterosaur fossils in the Solnhofen limestone plates of Bavaria, Germany, paint a picture of a dramatic end for these ancient flying reptiles.

The study reveals that adult pterosaurs were rarely found, with only fragments discovered. Instead, most of the fossils were of small, young individuals, including two mini-pterosaurs named "Lucky" and "Lucky II". These tiny creatures, with wingspans less than 20 centimeters, may have suffered injuries from strong gusts of wind before drowning in a lagoon of a tropical sea that covered southern Germany during the Jurassic period.

The unusual break in the upper arm bone of both Lucky and Lucky II supports this theory, suggesting that a strong gust of wind was the cause of their injuries. The small bodies of these pterosaurs, smaller than a house mouse, sank to the sea floor and were quickly covered by fine, calcareous silt stirred up by the storm, preserving their fossils exceptionally well.

The Solnhofen limestone site in Bavaria has long been a significant discovery location for pterosaur fossils. For centuries, scientists believed that the ecosystems of the Solnhofen lagoon were dominated by small pterosaurs. However, this study challenges that assumption. The discovery of these baby pterosaurs suggests that storm events caused these small, young flying reptiles living on nearby islands to be pushed into the lagoon, where they fell to the sea floor and were rapidly covered by fine calcareous sediment, preserving them exceptionally well.

The mystery surrounding the dominance of small pterosaurs in the Solnhofen ecosystem remains unsolved. Larger animals might have been better able to withstand the natural forces. The tropical storm that may have caused their death occurred approximately 150 million years ago.

This research offers a fascinating insight into the lives and deaths of these ancient creatures, providing a snapshot of events that occurred millions of years ago. The study's findings could potentially reshape our understanding of the Jurassic period and the roles these small pterosaurs played in their ecosystems.