New Pterosaur Named After Little Girl Who Discovered Fossil

Posted on March 20, 2013

Palaeontologists from the University of Southampton have identified a new ptesoraur. The fossil was found on the Isle of Wright in 2008 by five-year-old Daisy Morris. The species has been named Vectidraco daisymorrisae in recognition of her find and the generous donation of the fossil by the Morris family to the Natural History Museum. The name Vectidraco means "dragon from the Isle of Wight."

Only a well-preserved 40 mm long fossil pelvis of Vectidraco daisymorrisae was found, but this was enough for paleontologists to determine that this is a unique species. They believe the creature belongs to a group of pterodactyloids called the azhdarchoids. They estimate the small pterosaur was crow-sized. It had a wingspan of 75 cm and was 35 cm from snout to tail.

A research paper about Vectidraco daisymorrisae is published here in PLoS One. One of the palaeontologists, Martin Simpson, has written a children's book, Daisy and the Isle of Wight Dragon, about Daisy and her fossil discovery.

Simpson said in a statement, "The story highlights the special relationship between amateurs, academics and curators, in bringing these important finds to the attention of the scientific world. It also shows that, continuing a long tradition in palaeontology, major discoveries can be made by amateurs, often by being in the right place at the right time."

The Daily Mail has photos of the fossil's young discoverer here.



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