Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
333 / Mesozoic
Darwinopterus
Darwinopterus modularis
A long tail and advanced skull combine features once separated between pterosaur groups.
View original image · 1536 × 1024- Time range
- About 161 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Jurassic
- Geographic range
- Volcanic forests and lakes · Liaoning, China
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Darwinopterus?
Darwinopterus (Darwinopterus modularis) was an extinct organism known from About 161 million years ago, with a range in Volcanic forests and lakes · Liaoning, China.
Life and ecology
Darwinopterus flew above lakes for insects and small vertebrates.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Darwinopterus disappear?
Short-tailed pterodactyloids expanded as transitional long-tailed forms declined.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Darwinopterus?
Skeletons, wing membranes and an egg-associated individual reveal flight and reproduction.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS