A soft breeze stirred in the Jurassic skies above what is now southern Germany. Along the winding shores of estuaries, skirting ancient shallow seas, a young flying reptile—still growing, still evolving—raised its head and revealed a pompadour of bone so extravagant that modern scientists nicknamed it Elvis. Its name is Petrodactyle wellnhoferi, and its quiff-like crest is rewriting what we know about display, diet, and adaptation in pterosaurs.
The Discovery: Stone, Crest, And Name
In summer 2010, quarry owners in a public section of the Schaudiberg Quarry in Bavaria uncovered a mostly complete pterosaur fossil. The specimen was later acquired by the Lauer Foundation for Paleontology. After careful study, in 2023, paleontologists David W.E. Hone, René Lauer, Bruce Lauer, and Frederik Spindler formally described it in Palaeontologia Electronica as a new genus and species: Petrodactyle wellnhoferi.
The genus name Petrodactyle (meaning “stone-finger”) evokes the tradition of early pterosaur descriptions; the species name wellnhoferi honours Peter Wellnhofer, an eminent authority on German pterosaurs.
What Makes Elvis Special
Though this was not yet a fully mature specimen, its wingspan stretched to about 2.0–2.1 metres (roughly 6.6-7 ft), making it one of the largest pterosaurs known from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen/Mörnsheim region.
But what truly sets Petrodactyle apart is the huge bony crest perched on its skull. Scientists describe it as “pompadour-like,” reminiscent of Elvis Presley’s signature hairstyle. The crest is frontoparietal, unusually expanded, and by far the largest among its closest relatives in the Ctenochasmatidae group.
Unlike many ctenochasmatids, which are known for long rows of fine teeth used for filter-feeding, Petrodactyle does not have those extreme dental features. Instead, it has a mix of short and spike-like teeth. Combined with a specialized skull expansion that accommodates strong jaw muscles, this suggests a more forceful bite than typical filter-feeding pterosaurs.
The fossil comes from the Mörnsheim Formation (Tithonian age, Late Jurassic), near Mühlheim in Bavaria.
Behaviour, Ecology, And Display
From what we can gather, Petrodactyle wellnhoferi likely spent much of its time along shorelines or shallow waters, perhaps wading, hunting small fish, crustaceans, or other aquatic prey. Its long jaw and teeth suited for grasping, not an ultra-fine sieve.
The huge crest wasn’t just for show—it probably functioned as a sexual or display signal, much like the crests of many other pterosaurs. In life, skin or other soft tissues may have extended its contours, making it even more impressive. Scientists suggest the crest, combined with colours or soft structure, could have played roles in attracting mates or deterring rivals.
Importantly, this animal shows that even within a group known largely for one feeding strategy (filter feeding), there was diversity: some species were exploring different tooth shapes, feeding modes, and skull mechanics. Petrodactyle thus helps fill in a more nuanced picture of pterosaur ecology in the Late Jurassic.
What The Fourth Point Reveals And Why It Matters
You asked to pay special attention to the fourth point, which in this case refers to the section about feeding adaptation and how this pterosaur diverges from its filter-feeding relatives. Here are the key takeaways:
- Unlike its close kin in Ctenochasmatidae, Petrodactyle does not display the tightly packed, elongated teeth typical of filter feeders.
- Instead, it bears a combination of short, spike-like teeth, which are more suited to grasping rather than sieving.
- It also has a skull morphology (expanded at the rear) conducive to stronger jaw muscles, implying more bite force compared to its relatives.
- Through this, Petrodactyle demonstrates ecological flexibility—indicating that even groups presumed specialized (like filter feeding) had members adapting in varied ways.
In short: Petrodactyle wellnhoferi isn’t just another pretty crest—it challenges assumptions about what these animals were eating, how they lived, and how diverse their lifestyles really were.
A Hopeful View: Fossils, Fascination, Future Insights
Discoveries like Petrodactyle offer something rare: a glimpse into the beauty, complexity, and experimentation of life deep in Earth’s past. Each new fossil doesn’t just add a species—it adds questions and color to the grand narrative of evolution.
For example:
- What colours did these crests have? Did they change with age or between sexes?
- How did the jaw muscles grow in young pterosaurs versus adults?
- What was the balance between filter feeding and more active predation in shallow Jurassic seas?
Moreover, the story of Petrodactyle underscores the importance of protected fossil sites, collaborative science, and the value of specimen-collecting with proper stewardship—because this beautiful “pompadour in stone” might have been lost to erosion, poor documentation, or quarrying without scientific oversight.
What is especially uplifting is that even in places long studied—like the Solnhofen region, famous ever since the days when Archaeopteryx first came to light—new discoveries still await. Nature’s archives are deeper than we often imagine.
Conclusion
145 million years ago, Petrodactyle wellnhoferi roamed the skies with flair. A crest that would have turned heads; teeth that suggest more bite than expected; wings that stretched nearly 2.1 metres—but still not full grown. This pterosaur is more than an evolutionary curiosity—it’s a reminder that life is inventive, that diversity persists even where we expect uniformity, and that even fossil stones can whisper stories of wonder.
