Latest news with #KumamotoUniversity
Asahi Shimbun
14-05-2025
- Science
- Asahi Shimbun
New genus, species named for pterosaur fossil in Kyushu
A team of researchers re-examining a fossil found about 30 years ago in Kumamoto Prefecture concluded it is a new genus and species of pterosaur, a prehistoric flying reptile. It is the first such naming of a fossil discovered in Japan, the researchers from the Mifune Dinosaur Museum, Kumamoto University and Hokkaido University announced on May 13. The new species, named Nipponopterus mifunensis, is on display at the museum. According to the announcement, the fossil dug up in 1996 in Mifune, Kumamoto Prefecture, came from a layer of the Late Cretaceous (100.5 million to 66 million years ago) in a riverbed upstream from a dam. The fossil was of the cervical vertebrae. But the lack of fossil information about pterosaurs at that time made it difficult to more clearly identify the fragment. The research team used a CT scan of the fossil and compared the data with those of other pterosaurs. That led to the conclusion the fossil was a new species of azhdarchid pterosaur, which had a long neck. The fossil was dated from about 90 million years ago and is from a close relative of Quetzalcoatlus, a large pterosaur that lived in North America in the latter half of the Late Cretaceous. The research team published its findings in the March issue of Cretaceous Research. Azhdarchids appeared in the Late Cretaceous in a wide area encompassing Asia, Africa and the Americas. But there are few fossils because the skeletons are so fragile. (This article was written by Eiji Zakoda and Ryo Sasaki.)
The Mainichi
14-05-2025
- Science
- The Mainichi
Kyushu dinosaur museum identifies fossil as new pterosaur species
KUMAMOTO (Kyodo) -- A fossil found nearly three decades ago in southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture has been identified to be a previously unclassified genus and species of pterosaur, or prehistoric flying reptile, a local dinosaur museum said Tuesday. Nipponopterus mifunensis is the first pterosaur to be formally named as a distinct species based on the fossil. Because it is the first known member of a new genus group of closely related species, the fossil is expected to offer important clues for studying the evolutionary process of pterosaurs. The research was the result of work between institutions including the Mifune Dinosaur Museum, Kumamoto University and Hokkaido University. The fossil, a cervical vertebra, was found in 1996 in a layer of rock dating to the Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 66 million to 100.5 million years ago. The fossil was initially thought to be from a member of the broader Azhdarchidae family of pterosaurs. Further research enabled paleontologists to compare specimens and confirm it differed from existing fossils. Their findings were published in an international scientific journal in March. Pterosaurs were flying reptiles distinct from dinosaurs.
Kyodo News
13-05-2025
- Science
- Kyodo News
Japan dinosaur museum identifies fossil as new pterosaur species
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 22:53 | All, Japan A fossil found nearly three decades ago in southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture has been identified to be a previously unclassified genus and species of pterosaur, or prehistoric flying reptile, a local dinosaur museum said Tuesday. Nipponopterus mifunensis is the first pterosaur to be formally named as a distinct species based on the fossil. Because it is the first known member of a new genus group of closely related species, the fossil is expected to offer important clues for studying the evolutionary process of pterosaurs. The research was the result of work between institutions including the Mifune Dinosaur Museum, Kumamoto University and Hokkaido University. The fossil, a cervical vertebra, was found in 1996 in a layer of rock dating to the Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 66 million to 100.5 million years ago. The fossil was initially thought to be from a member of the broader Azhdarchidae family of pterosaurs. Further research enabled paleontologists to compare specimens and confirm it differed from existing fossils. Their findings were published in an international scientific journal in March. Pterosaurs were flying reptiles distinct from dinosaurs. Related coverage: Japan's Fujitsu, Riken push ahead with quantum computer development
Kyodo News
13-05-2025
- Science
- Kyodo News
Japan dinosaur museum identifies fossil as new pterosaur species
KYODO NEWS - 3 minutes ago - 22:53 | All, Japan A fossil found nearly three decades ago in southwestern Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture has been identified to be a previously unclassified genus and species of pterosaur, or prehistoric flying reptile, a local dinosaur museum said Tuesday. Nipponopterus mifunensis is the first pterosaur to be formally named as a distinct species based on the fossil. Because it is the first known member of a new genus group of closely related species, the fossil is expected to offer important clues for studying the evolutionary process of pterosaurs. The research was the result of work between institutions including the Mifune Dinosaur Museum, Kumamoto University and Hokkaido University. The fossil, a cervical vertebra, was found in 1996 in a layer of rock dating to the Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 66 million to 100.5 million years ago. The fossil was initially thought to be from a member of the broader Azhdarchidae family of pterosaurs. Further research enabled paleontologists to compare specimens and confirm it differed from existing fossils. Their findings were published in an international scientific journal in March. Pterosaurs were flying reptiles distinct from dinosaurs. Related coverage: Japan's Fujitsu, Riken push ahead with quantum computer development
