Probably the best species name in the history of Taxonomy, this little Pterosaur is the latest ancient resident of the Isle of Wight to come tumbling down the cliffs. It was Discovered by young Natural Historian Daisy Morris whilst combing the beach at Atherfield point for fossils.
Vectidraco life reconstruction
Eminent UK Paleontologist Darren Naish published the paper describing the new species and Genus, and island fossil hunter Martin Simpson ahs been affiliated with the discovery. He described daisy as 'a unique little girl' and that when they brought the remains to him in 2009 he 'knew it was something special'. Daisy has let's say an unusual collection of animal remains obtained through a 'interesting' process. (If you are squeamish don't read ahead). She will collect the remains of road kill and other dead animals and then place them in a crate in her garden. In the crate decomposition will take hold and maggots will strip the bones of flesh and tissue. Once this is done she will then collect the remaining bones. Many would immediately scream 'DANGER DISEASE' but apparently it is quite the contrary.
The specimen that led to daisy's claim to fame is the pelvis of the pterosaur including articulated vertebrae:
In life Vectidraco would have been small perhaps the size of a crow. At the time it lived (115 MYA in the Early Cretaceous) Vectidraco would have skimmed the sea's and beaches catching fish and scavenging. The clays at Atherfield date to 115 MYA which corresponds to rising of sea levels globally indicate a shallow marine/coastal environment very close to land.
A children's book is due to be published about the life of 'Daisy Morris's Isle of Wight Dragon'.
This just goes to show no matter your age or experience you can make a discovery worthy of scientific attention using just persistence and luck!
Vectidraco life reconstruction
Eminent UK Paleontologist Darren Naish published the paper describing the new species and Genus, and island fossil hunter Martin Simpson ahs been affiliated with the discovery. He described daisy as 'a unique little girl' and that when they brought the remains to him in 2009 he 'knew it was something special'. Daisy has let's say an unusual collection of animal remains obtained through a 'interesting' process. (If you are squeamish don't read ahead). She will collect the remains of road kill and other dead animals and then place them in a crate in her garden. In the crate decomposition will take hold and maggots will strip the bones of flesh and tissue. Once this is done she will then collect the remaining bones. Many would immediately scream 'DANGER DISEASE' but apparently it is quite the contrary.
The specimen that led to daisy's claim to fame is the pelvis of the pterosaur including articulated vertebrae:
In life Vectidraco would have been small perhaps the size of a crow. At the time it lived (115 MYA in the Early Cretaceous) Vectidraco would have skimmed the sea's and beaches catching fish and scavenging. The clays at Atherfield date to 115 MYA which corresponds to rising of sea levels globally indicate a shallow marine/coastal environment very close to land.
A children's book is due to be published about the life of 'Daisy Morris's Isle of Wight Dragon'.
This just goes to show no matter your age or experience you can make a discovery worthy of scientific attention using just persistence and luck!
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