Period

Flourished during the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods of the Mesozoic Era (252.2 million to 66 million years ago).

Flight Capability

First vertebrates to achieve flight, using strong forelegs to launch themselves into the air.

Classification

Pterosaurs were archosaurs, like dinosaurs, birds, and crocodiles, but not true dinosaurs.

Notable Species

Quetzalcoatlus, the largest vertebrate known to fly, existed in the late Cretaceous.

Evolution

Example of convergent evolution; not closely related to birds or bats.

Wing Structure

Wings formed by a skin membrane connected to an elongated fourth finger, similar to bat wings.

Physical Features

Earlier species had long jaws with teeth and long tails; later species had reduced tails and some lacked teeth.

Neck and Throat

Often had long necks and throat pouches for catching fish, similar to pelicans.

Extinction

Extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period (65.5 million years ago) during the K-T extinction event.

Post Extinction

After their extinction, birds, considered to be of dinosaur ancestry, took over as the dominant flying vertebrates.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about Pterosaurs:

1. Pterosaurs were flying reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era and are closely related to dinosaurs.
2. Pterosaurs are classified under the order Pterosauria, but they are not considered true dinosaurs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: c

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: Pterosaurs were flying reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era and are indeed closely related to dinosaurs, though they were not dinosaurs themselves.

Statement 2 is correct: Pterosaurs are classified as a distinct group of reptiles under the order Pterosauria, and though they share a common ancestor with dinosaurs, they are not classified as true dinosaurs.