A new study suggests that pterosaur anatomy could inspire the next generation of aeroplanes.  The microarchitecture of fossilised pterosaur bones could hold the key to lighter, stronger materials that can be used to make new types of aircraft.  This is the remarkable conclusion made by scientists from the University of Manchester.  Advanced and extremely powerful X-ray imaging techniques were utilised to reveal a complex network of microscopic canals inside the preserved bones of ancient flying reptiles.  These structures make the bones exceptionally light but incredibly strong.  They are ideal material properties for use in the aviation industry.

Pterosaur anatomy could inspire the next generation of aeroplane designs according to a new study. Picture credit: Nathan Pili, The University of Manchester.

Picture credit: Nathan Pili, The University of Manchester

Examining Pterosaur Anatomy at the Microscopic Level

The researchers claim that these pterosaur adaptations could have the potential to start a “palaeo-biomimetics” revolution using the biological designs of prehistoric creatures to develop new materials for use in the aeronautics industry. The paper has been published in the journal “Scientific Reports”.

Lead author of the study, Nathan Pili, a PhD student at the University of Manchester commented:

“For centuries, engineers have looked to nature for inspiration, like how the burrs from plants led to the invention of Velcro. But we rarely look back to extinct species when seeking inspiration for new engineering development, but we should. We are so excited to find and map these microscopic interlocking structures in pterosaur bones, we hope one day we can use them to reduce the weight of aircraft materials, thereby reducing fuel consumption and potentially making planes safer.”

Pterosaurs first evolved in the Triassic. They were close relatives of the dinosaurs and members of the Archosauria clade. Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight. Whilst many Triassic and Jurassic taxa typically had wingspans of less than two metres, many Cretaceous pterosaurs were giants.

A model of the giant pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus.

The picture (above) shows a replica of the giant azhdarchid pterosaur Quetzalcoatlus. The figure is from the Wild Safari Prehistoric World range.

To view this range of prehistoric animal figures: Wild Safari Prehistoric World Figures.

Quetzalcoatlus lived during the Late Cretaceous and it had a wingspan of around ten metres. This huge size meant that these reptiles had to solve multiple engineering challenges to get their enormous bodies airborne.  For example, their huge wing membrane was supported predominantly from a single, elongated finger.

X-ray Computed Tomography

The researchers used advanced X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) to scan the pterosaur anatomy at the molecular level.  The technique enabled the team to examine complex structures approximately twenty times smaller than the width of a human hair. Three-dimensional mapping of the internal structures permeating the wing bones of pterosaurs has never been achieved at these high resolutions (~0.002 mm).

The team discovered that the unique network of tiny canals and pores with the bones, once used for nutrient transfer, growth, and maintenance, also helped to protect against microfractures by deflecting cracks, serving both biological and mechanical functions. By replicating these natural designs, engineers could not only create lightweight, robust components but could also incorporate sensors and self-healing materials, opening up new possibilities for more complex and efficient aircraft designs.

The team propose that advancements in metal 3D printing could turn these ideas into reality.  Pterosaur anatomy could permit an exciting new avenue for further research.

Nathan Pilli added:

“This is an incredible field of research, especially when working at the microscopic scale. Of all the species that have ever lived, most are extinct, though many died out due to rapid environmental changes rather than ‘poor design’. These findings are pushing our team to generate even higher-resolution scans of additional extinct species. Who knows what hidden solutions we might find!”

Learning from Darwinian Natural Selection

Senior author of the study, Professor Phil Manning (University of Manchester), explained:

“There is over four billion years of experimental design that were a function of Darwinian natural selection. These natural solutions are beautifully reflected by the same iterative processes used by engineers to refine materials. It is highly likely that among the billions of permutations of life on Earth, unique engineering solutions have evolved but were lost to the sands of time. We hope to unlock the potential of ancient natural solutions to create new materials but also help build a more sustainable future. It is wonderful that life in the Jurassic might make flying in the 21st century more efficient and safer.”

We need to develop stronger, lighter and more fuel-efficient materials. Pterosaurs may hold the key to the future of powered flight.  By examining the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight we might be able to pave the way for a new generation of aviation technology.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from the University of Manchester in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Harnessing 3D microarchitecture of pterosaur bone using multi-scale X-ray CT for aerospace material design” published in Scientific Reports.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal Models and Figures.

Scientists have analysed the soft tissue preserved in a nearly complete Jurassic plesiosaur fossil. This is the first in-depth study of plesiosaur soft tissues to be published.  The study has been published in the journal “Current Biology”.  The research was led by scientists from Lund University (Sweden).  The results show that some plesiosaurs had smooth skin on the body and small scales on the flippers.  This integumentary covering permitted maximum swimming efficiency by reducing drag.  The scales on the flippers are reminiscent of modern reptile scales.  They may have played a role in flipper hydrodynamics and/or provided protection and traction as these marine reptiles moved across rough seabeds in search of food (benthic feeding).

Reconstruction of the new plesiosaur with scales on the flipper and smooth scale-less skin along the body as informed by this new plesiosaur fossil. This is a significant update to how we reconstruct plesiosaurs which has otherwise not change substantially since their initial discovery more than 200 years ago. Picture credit: Joschua Knüppe.

Picture credit: Joschua Knüppe

Studying a Remarkable Jurassic Plesiosaur

Plesiosaurs are an iconic group of Mesozoic marine reptiles with an evolutionary history spanning over 140 million years Their skeletal remains have been discovered worldwide. However, accompanying fossilised soft tissues are exceptionally rare. Only eight instances of plesiosaur soft tissue preservation have been reported to date. The research team examined a beautifully preserved fossil specimen from the Lower Jurassic Posidonia Shale (Posidonienschiefer Formation) of southern Germany.  The fossil is estimated to be around 183 million years old.  It dates from the Toarcian faunal stage of the Early Jurassic.

Skeleton of the new plesiosaur at the Urwelt-Museum Hauff in Holzmaden, Germany. Picture credit: Klaus Nilkens/Urwelt-Museum Hauff.

Picture credit: Klaus Nilkens/Urwelt-Museum Hauff

Until now, little was known about the external anatomy of plesiosaurs.  For example, considerable debate has occurred in regards to whether plesiosaurs had tail flukes, and if they did, what shape they were.  In 2021, CollectA introduced a replica of the Late Cretaceous derived plesiosaur Elasmosaurus.  This model had a diamond-shaped tail fluke.  In Everything Dinosaur’s video review of this figure, the controversy over the tail fluke was highlighted.

To read more about this and to view Everything Dinosaur’s video review: New for 2021 CollectA Figures Including a New Interpretation of Elasmosaurus.

The specimen (MH 7) was excavated from a quarry near the town of Holzmaden in 1940. More complete preparation undertaken in 2020 revealed traces of soft tissue preservation. The soft tissue was associated with the tail and the trailing edge of the right forelimb.

Skin from the bottom half of the tail in the new plesiosaur. The skin as preserved is beige in colour with some parts showing a pitted surface. This pitted surface represents the underside of the skin, with the outer surface facing into the rock matrix. Picture credit: Klaus Nilkens/Urwelt-Museum Hauff.

Picture credit: Klaus Nilkens/Urwelt-Museum Hauff

What Does Specimen MH 7 Reveal?

The scientists utilised a variety of techniques, including transmitted light microscopy (TLM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), examining specimen MH 7 in unprecedented detail. In addition, the researchers used electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), infrared (IR) microspectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) to reveal details of the integumentary covering including the identification of potential melanosomes.

Their research indicates that plesiosaurs had both smooth and scaly skin.

The tip of the right flipper with two scales along the trailing edge. Picture credit: Klaus Nilkens/Urwelt-Museum Hauff.

Picture credit: Klaus Nilkens/Urwelt-Museum Hauff

Lead author of the study into this remarkable Jurassic plesiosaur fossil, Miguel Marx, a PhD student in geology at Lund University commented:

“Fossilised soft tissue, such as skin and internal organs, is exceptionally rare. We used a broad range of techniques to identify smooth skin in the tail region as well as scales along the rear edge of the flippers. This provided us with unparalleled insights into the appearance and biology of these long-extinct reptiles.”

Smooth and Scaly Skin

An unusual combination of smooth and scaly skin on different parts of the body was revealed.  The scientists conclude that this variation related to different functions.  For example, the plesiosaur needed to be streamlined so that it could swim efficiently.  Moreover, the smooth and hydrodynamic skin would have reduced drag and helped the animal to use less energy as it swam after prey.  However, it also needed to move across rough seafloors, the scaly flippers would have likely allowed it to do so with maximum efficiency and without damaging its skin.

Miguel Marx added:

“Our findings help us create more accurate life reconstructions of plesiosaurs, something that has been extremely difficult since they were first studied over 200 years ago. Also, the well-preserved German fossil really highlights the potential for soft tissue in providing valuable insights into the biology of these long-extinct animals.”

A close-up image of the two scales from the right flipper. Note the triangular shape of the scale remnants that are distinct from the skin found on the tail of this plesiosaur.
Picture credit: Klaus Nilkens/Urwelt-Museum Hauff.

Picture credit: Klaus Nilkens/Urwelt-Museum Hauff

Reconstructing the Appearance of an Ancient Marine Reptile

With a better understanding of the anatomy and adaptations of extinct creatures palaeontologists can develop an improved understanding of macroevolution.  Furthermore, in recreating the past, scientists can make better predictions about future events.

Summarising the importance of this study, Miguel Marx stated:

“Apart from the mosaic of smooth skin and scales, it was an incredible moment to visualize the cells in thin sections of the fossilized plesiosaur’s skin. I was shocked when I saw skin cells that had been preserved for 183 million years. It was almost like looking at modern skin.”

In addition to Lund University, collaborators from Uppsala University, RISE (Research Institutes of Sweden), Naturkunde-Museum Bielefeld, and Urwelt-Museum Hauff took part in this research.

Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from Lund University in the compilation of this article.

The scientific paper: “Skin, scales, and cells in a Jurassic plesiosaur” by Miguel Marx, Peter Sjövall, Benjamin P. Kear, Martin Jarenmark, Mats E. Eriksson, Sven Sachs, Klaus Nilkens, Michiel Op De Beeck and Johan Lindgren published in Current Biology.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Models of Prehistoric Animals.