University of Bristol researchers found ancient winged-reptiles, Kuehneosaurs, in Somersets Mendip Hills, exposing varied reptilian life on the Mendip Palaeo-island throughout the Late Triassic period and broadening our understanding of prehistoric environments. Artists impression of a moving reptile Kuehneosaurus. Credit: Mike CawthorneResearchers at the University of Bristol have actually discovered that ancient reptiles, efficient in moving, were when residents of the Mendip Hills in Somerset.These creatures, called Kuehneosaurs, resembled lizards but were really more carefully related to the forebears of crocodiles and dinosaurs. They were little in size, small adequate to rest easily in a human hand. 2 unique types of Kuehneosaurs were determined: one with expansive wing-like structures, and the other with shorter ones. These “wings” were formed by a skin layer stretched over extended side ribs, enabling them to move from one tree to another.Like the modern-day flying lizard Draco from southeast Asia, they more than likely wandered about on the ground and climbed up trees searching for insect prey. When shocked, or if they identified a yummy pest zipping, they could release themselves into the air, and land safely 10m away.Fossil Research by University of BristolThe discovery was made by University of Bristol Masters trainee Mike Cawthorne, investigating various reptile fossils from limestone quarries, which formed the biggest sub-tropical island at the time, called the Mendip Palaeo-island. The study, published in Proceedings of the Geologists Association, also tape-records the existence of reptiles with complex teeth, the trilophosaur Variodens and the marine Pachystropheus that probably lived a bit like a modern-day otter most likely consuming shrimps and little fish.The animals either fell or their bones were cleaned into caves and cracks in the limestone.Showing partial skeleton of sliding reptile Kuehneosaurus on rock from Emborough. Credit: David Whiteside” All the beasts were little,” said Mike. “I had actually wanted to discover some dinosaur bones, or even their isolated teeth, but in truth I found whatever else but dinosaurs.” The collections I studied had been made in the 1940s and 1950s when the quarries were still active, and paleontologists were able to check out and see fresh rock faces and speak to the quarrymen.” Insights from Professors and Historical ContextProfessor Mike Benton Bristols School of Earth Sciences described: “It took a great deal of work identifying the fossil bones, the majority of which were different and not in a skeleton.” However, we have a lot of relative product, and Mike Cawthorne was able to compare the separated jaws and other bones with more total specimens from the other sites around Bristol. He has revealed that the Mendip Palaeo-island, which extended from Frome in the east to Weston-super-Mare in the west, almost 30 km long, was home to varied small reptiles feeding on the plants and insects. He didnt find any dinosaur bones, but its likely that they were there because we have actually discovered dinosaur bones in other areas of the very same geological age around Bristol.” A Jawbone of unusual Triassic reptile Variodens first named from Emborough. B) Typical Emborough rock with many bones. D, c, and e) bones from land-living family members of crocodiles. Credit: David WhitesideThe location around Bristol 200 million years earlier in the Late Triassic was an island chain of small islands embeded in a warm sub-tropical sea.Bristols Dr David Whiteside added: “The bones were gathered by some great fossil finders in the 1940s and 1950s including Tom Fry, an amateur collector working for Bristol University and who typically cycled to the quarries and returned laden with heavy bags of rocks.” The other collectors were the talented researchers Walter Kühne, a German who was locked up in Great Britain in the 2nd world war, and Pamela L. Robinson from University College London. They offered their specimens to the Natural History Museum in London and the Geological collections of the University of Bristol.” Reference: “Latest Triassic terrestrial microvertebrate assemblages from caverns on the Mendip palaeoisland, S.W. England, at Emborough, Batscombe and Highcroft Quarries” by Michael Cawthorne, David I. Whiteside and Michael J. Benton, 20 January 2024, Proceedings of the Geologists Association.DOI: 10.1016/ j.pgeola.2023.12.003.
” Insights from Professors and Historical ContextProfessor Mike Benton Bristols School of Earth Sciences discussed: “It took a lot of work determining the fossil bones, many of which were different and not in a skeleton.” However, we have a lot of comparative product, and Mike Cawthorne was able to compare the isolated jaws and other bones with more total specimens from the other websites around Bristol. He didnt discover any dinosaur bones, however its likely that they were there since we have found dinosaur bones in other places of the exact same geological age around Bristol. Credit: David WhitesideThe location around Bristol 200 million years ago in the Late Triassic was an archipelago of small islands set in a warm sub-tropical sea.Bristols Dr David Whiteside included: “The bones were gathered by some excellent fossil finders in the 1940s and 1950s consisting of Tom Fry, an amateur collector working for Bristol University and who usually cycled to the quarries and returned packed with heavy bags of rocks.