Scientists have found out why pterosaurs did not break a giant neck

Paleontologists from the University of Portsmouth have discovered how some pterosaurs managed to cope with

with his long neck like a giraffe's - that's allturned out to be in the unusual structure of the cervical vertebrae. The discovery was made possible by new CT scans of intact remains discovered in Morocco. With the help of new data, scientists found that the cervical vertebrae of this heavy reptile had a complex structure, which in cross-section is most similar to a bicycle wheel with spokes. It was this design that gave the neck of these animals a strong and light structure.

The authors of the new study suspect this "lightweight" design provided strength without compromising the pterosaurs' ability to fly.

Previously, scientists believed that the cervical vertebraepterosaurs had a simpler, tubular structure. This made them wonder - how thin-walled bones (light bones are necessary for flying animals to lose weight) are able to support a large head with prey in addition?

The researchers originally set out to study the shape and movement of the pterosaur's neck, but used CT to look inside the remains.

Scientists believe the complex design could help engineers design longer, thinner, and stronger lightweight structures.

Pterosaurs appeared in the fossil record of the Triassic period, about 225 million years ago, but disappeared at the end of the Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago, along with their fellow dinosaurs.

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