Latest news with #Nipponopterus
Japan Times
19-05-2025
- Science
- Japan Times
Pterosaur fossil found in Japan identified as new species
A fossilized cervical vertebra discovered back in 1996 in southwestern Japan was found to have been from a new genus and species of pterosaur, a prehistoric flying reptile. A research team made up of members from Mifune Dinosaur Museum, which has the fossil on display, and others named the new species of the extinct flying vertebrates "Nipponopterus mifunensis," or "Japan's wings from Mifune" in Latin. This is the first time that a pterosaur has been named based on a fossil found in Japan. The fossil was discovered from a geologic formation dating back 100.5 million to 66 million years during the Late Cretaceous period in the town of Mifune in Kumamoto Prefecture by the town's education board. Past research had confirmed that the fossil was of a specimen of the Azhdarchidae family, a group of long-necked pterosaurs. Due to the scarcity of available fossils that could be used as reference at the time, the exact genus and species were left unidentified. In the latest research, the team concluded that the fossil was of a new pterosaur genus and species due to several distinct features, through analysis of computed tomography scans and comparisons with about 200 species of pterosaurs. The team's finding was published in international journal Cretaceous Research in March this year. "This is an important research result showing that pterosaurs were flying in the skies near Japan," Naoki Ikegami, 57, a curator at the museum, said. "The finding has opened the door to pterosaur research in Japan," he added.
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
