YOU scientists have found the oldest flying reptile. Called between Ozimek – Interfax

Model of reptile is represented in the Museum of Evolution in Warsaw on Monday, although the story of its discovery begins a few years ago in Silesia.

Is 2001, in a small village in the municipality Krasilov between Ozimek, some 30 kilometers from Opole, ongoing excavations conducted by researchers from the Institute Paleobiologii, Polish Academy of Sciences. The researchers accompanied the students, biology and Geology of the Silesian University. In August one of the students Maria Staneczko (today Piątkowska), resorted to Dr Tomasz Suleja with YOU and show him your piece of clay the size of a few centimeters. In the rock are two kilkumilimetrowe reptile circles.

we Already knew this was a revolutionary discovery because until now trafialiśmy only on large specimens. I immediately ran to the Professor leading the excavations of wild hedgehogs and I said, “let’s Write about this short work.” Professor: “Quietly, we don’t know what it is. Wait, maybe we find more.” I got sad, says Dr. Sulej.

From one roll to an entire skeleton

they Waited six years, when he was found the next individual vertebrae mysterious animal. In 2007 they released their first publication with a picture of the cervical spine, which suggested that he could belong to a pterosaur or długoszyjego says Tanystropheus. Subsequent years brought however, a new lead. Scientists have discovered the bones of the limbs and the skull.

In 2013, recreated a nearly complete skeleton of a reptile. – His skull is very strange, some of the bones are nothing like those of other reptiles. We realized that it was not the skull of a pterosaur. This shows that we should wait with the publication of the discoveries, not to rely on erroneous interpretation, says Dr. Sulej.

Today we know that the team of Professor wild Boar discovered the largest flying animal of the Triassic, that is, the older period mezozoicznego. The reptile called ozimkiem, in honor of the municipality, which supported the scientists in the excavation. – Between Ozimek volans, that is flying. Was 90 cm in length and its wingspan reached 60 centimeters. It’s not Tyrannosaurus Rex, but because it is difficult to fly. 230 million years ago ozimkiem no one could match. It was then the king of heaven, he said during a conference at the Museum of Evolution prof. Boar.

he Lifted up the reptile model is made of plastic, on a scale of one to one. This animal was very thin and long legs, resembling a lizard. There was also a disproportionately long neck. We can only guess, which served him such a long neck. Eating insects is probably looking for them on the branches or trunks of trees. Moving a long neck, he was able to capture these insects, as do swans, or geese – told the Professor. Boar.

Between prajaszczurką and dinosaur

he also Drew attention to the fact that between the legs stretched ozimka is a drum-mobile like that of bats. – Bats actively fly and have broad muscles of the chest and forelimbs – explained the Professor. Boar. – Between Ozimek represented the stages of evolution, when the forelegs were not capable of active flight, hence mobile drum stretched on its hind limbs. Therefore, we have no evidence that between Ozimek refers to the evolutionary line leading to the flying reptiles. Not quite like the later pterosaurs with dinosaurs, but different from the primary prajaszczurek. Our discovery is separate. Maybe our colleagues from distant countries will find these missing elements, which allow to determine the position of ozimka tree hereditary reptiles and organisms in General – asked the investigator.

- Or we in Poland do find these connections, looking for, – said Dr. Sulej. He added that scientists, YOU have several years of conducting excavations in the brick factory Wożniki wheel Weathertop, where in 2013 also found vertebrae ozimka. – Unfortunately, the plant has a new owner who has not agreed to conduct the research. Wyrobisko same is filled with water and soon, no work will be possible, – noted Dr. Sulej.

In the presentation the opening was attended by Martin Wojciechowska, chief editor of “National Geographic”. Magazine in 2008 awarded Travelerem team prof Boar, and then supported him financially. We paleontological El Dorado. Do not be jealous of Americans if scientists from China, because impressive discoveries, they also have a place on the territory of Poland. Looking forward to more. Recently I asked Dr. Suleja which his discovery he finds most important. He hesitated and said: “While we can’t talk about it,” – said Wojciechowska.

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