During a short visit to Cambridge, Everything Dinosaur team members were able to examine a specimen of the remarkable Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis). This tree is regarded as a “living fossil”.  However, its fossil record is extremely poor and scientists are uncertain of its phylogeny.  What is certain, is that this gymnosperm is exceptionally rare.

In 1994, a small grove of fewer than a hundred Wollemi pines were found in a deep gorge in the Blue Mountains (New South Wales). The location remains a secret as this sheltered area is the only known habitat for these remarkable trees. This amazing discovery sparked a global effort to study and conserve the Wollemi pine, which is now considered one of the rarest trees on the planet. Two Wollemi pines have been potted into large planters flanking the glasshouses at the Cambridge University Botanic Gardens. In addition, a third specimen is located close to another ancient type of tree, a Dawn Redwood.

A young Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis) at the Cambridge University Botanic Garden. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Extremely Rare Wollemi Pine

Ironically, the Wollemi pine (Wollemia nobilis) is not a pine.  It is thought to be a member of the Araucariaceae, a family of coniferous trees with three living genera, Agathis, the Wollemi pine and the Araucaria (monkey puzzle tree).   These trees flourished during the Mesozoic. They had a global distribution, although these days they are mostly confined to the Southern Hemisphere.  Wollemia nobilis shares several characteristics with both Araucaria and Agathis. Genetic studies have proved controversial, as they lacked consistency of method. However, many palaeobotanists consider Wollemia nobilis as a sister taxon to Agathis within the Araucariaceae and therefore more closely related to Agathis than it is to Araucaria.

A piece of plant prehistoric history. A small Wollemi pine surrounded by ferns and horsetails. These are ancient plants representing taxa that evolved before flowering plants. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Models of Prehistoric Plants

For dinosaur model fans and collectors keen to build dioramas, there are not that many prehistoric plant models.  Safari Ltd used to include three prehistoric plant models within their range (Tree fern, Agathis and a Cycad). Sadly, all three of these figures have been retired.  Thankfully, diorama builders can rely on CollectA to provide models of prehistoric plants.  The company has introduced replicas of many prehistoric trees and plants.  For instance, CollectA have made a replica of Williamsonia, an example of a member of the Bennettitales Order of seed plants.

The CollectA Williamsonia prehistoric plant, a great addition to dinosaur dioramas.

To view the CollectA not-to-scale model range: CollectA Prehistoric Life Models.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“It was fascinating to learn more about the remarkable Wollemi pine.  The Cambridge University Botanic Gardens are amazing.  We are so pleased that model makers and diorama builders still have the CollectA prehistoric plants to help them with their prehistoric landscapes.”

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Prehistoric Animal and Plants Models.

Newly published research suggests that large pterosaurs probably used all four limbs to propel themselves into the air, as seen in bats today.  Take-off is a vital part of powered flight.  The physical effort required to launch is dictated by body mass.  The bigger and heavier you are, the greater the physical effort required to take to the air.  This rule likely constrains the size of birds, yet extinct pterosaurs are known to have reached far larger sizes. How did pterosaurs launch?

The new study, published in the journal “PeerJ” suggest that large pterosaurs took off using a similar method as bats.  In essence, the researchers conclude that big flying reptiles used all four limbs to propel themselves into the air. This is referred to as “quadrupedal launching”.

The Mojo Fun Tropeognathus pterosaur model.  The researchers used a life-size computer-generated model of an ornithocheirid pterosaur such as Tropeognathus to conduct their research.

The picture above shows a typical ornithocheirid pterosaur (Tropeognathus). This is a model from the Mojo Fun prehistoric and extinct range.

To view this range of prehistoric animal figures: Mojo Fun Prehistoric Animal Models.

Quadrupedal Launching of Large Pterosaurs

This research helps scientists to understand the unique anatomy and biology of the Pterosauria.  In addition, it provides a new perspective on how flying reptiles became airborne, despite some taxa having wingspans in excess of ten metres. The scientific paper sheds new light on the flight initiating jumping ability of these archosaurs.

The research was conducted by scientists at the University of Bristol, the University of Keele, Liverpool John Moores University and Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil.  The team constructed a computer model of the skeleton and muscles of an ornithocheiraean pterosaur with a wingspan of five metres. Thirty-four key muscles were modelled to estimate limb movements through three alternative take-off motions.

The three alternative take-off motions:

• a vertical jump using just the hind legs, as seen in many ground-dwelling birds.
• a less vertical jump using just the legs, more similar to the jump used by birds that fly frequently.
• a four-limbed jump using the wings as well in a motion more akin to the take-off jump of a bat.

By reproducing these take-off motions using the large pterosaur model, the team were able to understand the forces generated to push the reptile into the air.

A replica of an ornithocheirid pterosaur based on Cambridge Greensand fossil remains. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The Bigger the Animal the Greater the Challenge of Becoming Airborne

Lead author of the study, Dr Ben Griffin (University of Bristol), explained:

“Larger animals have greater challenges to overcome in order to fly making the ability of animals as large as pterosaurs to do so especially fascinating. Unlike birds which mainly rely on their hindlimbs, our models indicate that pterosaurs were more likely to rely on all four of their limbs to propel themselves into the air.”

The researchers examined one of the long-standing questions about the underlying biomechanics of the Pterosauria. This study not only enhances the understanding of pterosaur biology but also provides broader insights into the limits and dynamics of flight in large vertebrates. By comparing pterosaurs with modern birds and bats, this research highlights the remarkable evolutionary solutions to the challenge of powered flight.

There are no living analogues for large pterosaurs. Hence, scientists rely on computer modelling to provide data on these remarkable creatures. After all, pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight.

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

The scientific paper: “Modelling take-off moment arms in an ornithocheiraean pterosaur” by Benjamin W. Griffin​, Elizabeth Martin-Silverstone, Rodrigo V. Pêgas, Erik Anthony Meilak, Fabiana R. Costa, Colin Palmer and Emily J. Rayfield published in PeerJ.

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Pterosaur Models and Toys.