A paper published by Darren Naish, Martin Simpson and Gareth Dyke in the March edition of scientific journal, PLOS ONE, reveals some exiting Dinosaur-related news, not only for the Isle of Wight, but also for nine year old Islander Daisy Morris.
Four years ago Daisy discovered a fossil on Atherfield beach which has turned out to be a completely new species of pterosaur.
Well-known and well-loved ‘fossil man’ Martin Simpson was happy to take a look at the specimen and immediately shared it with colleagues at Southampton University.
115 million years old
He said, “The fossil turned out to be a completely new genus and species of small pterosaur, a flying reptile from 115 million years ago in the Lower Cretaceous period, which because of the Island’s eroding coastline, would without doubt have been washed away and destroyed if it had not been found by Daisy.
“It just shows that, continuing a long tradition in palaeontology, major discoveries can be made by amateurs, often by being in the right place at the right time”.
Vectidraco daisymorrisae
The new pterosaur has been named Vectidraco daisymorrisae.
The generic name Vectidraco meaning ‘dragon from the Isle of Wight’, while the species name honours young Daisy Morris, who has now donated it to The Natural History Museum in London.
Well done Daisy and the scientists at Southampton University. What a fantastic find!
If you’re interested in Dinosaurs, watch our series of videos fossil hunting with Martin Simpson. There are three parts, filmed in 2011.
Don’t forget to check out the Dinosaur Island App.
Image: © Darren Naish1, Martin Simpson and Gareth Dyke
