A Unique Flying Reptile Unearthed on the Isle of Skye: The Ceoptera

The Isle of Skye, located off the west coast of Scotland, has recently become the site of an extraordinary discovery. A team of scientists, led by Dr. Liz Martin-Silverstone of the University of Bristol, unearthed the remains of a unique flying reptile, or pterosaur, dating back to the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 168-166 million years ago. This discovery, named Ceoptera, is significant due to the rarity of fossils from this era and the fact that the creature’s wings, backbone, and legs were found, although its skull remains missing.

The Ceoptera is the second pterosaur to be discovered on the Isle of Skye. Its name is derived from the Scottish Gaelic word ‘cheò,’ meaning mist, and is a reference to the Gaelic name of the island, Eilean a’ Cheò, or Isle of Mist. Fossils from the Middle Jurassic period are extremely rare, and finding anything more substantial than a single bone is an exciting find for scientists. The creature likely had a wing-span of around 1m to 1.5m.

Prof. Steve Brusatte, who was not involved in the research, commented on the significance of the discovery. He stated that the Ceoptera is unique to Scotland and provides evidence of a type of pterosaur that existed between the primitive and advanced stages of evolution. This discovery proves that pterosaurs were common animals in Scotland during the Middle Jurassic period, soaring above the heads of dinosaurs.

The Middle Jurassic period saw Scotland as part of an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with a sub-tropical climate, complete with beaches and lagoons where the pterosaurs likely resided. The team first discovered the fossil in 2006 during a dig on the island. Dr. Paul Barrett, who was part of the expedition, described the process of finding the fossil: “We were looking at very dark black bone on a very dark grey rock. We were on hands and knees crawling, looking for small smears of bone on the surface.”

The team carefully transported the fragile fossil back to London for further study. It took thousands of hours to remove the hard limestone rock surrounding the fossil. After using acid to dissolve the rock and scanning the specimen, scientists have now published their classification of the fossil. Dr. Barrett explains, “This group of more advanced flying reptiles had an earlier flourishing than we originally thought.”

The Ceoptera is part of the Darwinoptera branch of pterosaurs. The research shows that this group lived for more than 25 million years, from the late Early Jurassic to the latest Jurassic. The findings were published in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

The discovery of the Ceoptera is an exciting addition to the scientific community’s understanding of the Middle Jurassic period and the evolution of flying reptiles. The rarity of fossils from this era makes each discovery a valuable contribution to the field. As Dr. Martin-Silverstone states, “Finding anything from that time period that’s more than just a single bone is really exciting.”

In conclusion, the discovery of the Ceoptera on the Isle of Skye is a significant find in the field of paleontology. Its wings, backbone, and legs provide valuable insights into the anatomy and evolution of flying reptiles during the Middle Jurassic period. The rarity of fossils from this era makes each discovery an essential contribution to our understanding of Earth’s history. The Ceoptera’s name, derived from the Scottish Gaelic word ‘cheò,’ adds a unique connection to the rich cultural heritage of the Isle of Skye.