First record of a pterosaur landing trackway

Area of Science:

• Paleontology
• Vertebrate Paleontology
• Mesozoic Reptiles

Background:

• The terrestrial locomotion of pterosaurs, the extinct flying reptiles of the Mesozoic Era, has been a subject of scientific debate for over 200 years.
• Recent discoveries of quadrupedal pterodactyloid pterosaur tracks provide evidence of parasagittal hindlimb movement and varied forelimb track placement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first definitive record of a pterosaur landing track.
• To analyze the unique kinematics and morphology of pterosaur landing traces.
• To infer the flight control and landing strategies of pterosaurs.

Main Methods:

• Detailed ichnological analysis of fossilized trackways from the Late Jurassic.
• Comparative analysis of landing tracks with known pterosaur walking trackways.
• Interpretation of track morphology to reconstruct pterosaur limb movements during landing.

Main Results:

• A unique trackway demonstrating a distinct landing sequence: parallel hindfoot placement, toe drag, immediate redeployment of hindfeet, forelimb placement, and subsequent normal quadrupedal locomotion.
• The landing track differs significantly from typical walking trackways in form, position, and kinematics.
• Evidence of limb adjustments during the landing process.

Conclusions:

• Pterosaurs exhibited a stalling behavior to land, indicative of sophisticated flight control.
• The unique manus (hand) tracks are consistent with their forelimbs' dual role in flight and terrestrial locomotion.
• This discovery enhances our understanding of pterosaur biomechanics and aerial maneuverability.