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Monday, November 23, 2009

Photo: Ancient Flying Reptiles Likely Had Sex As Youths


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Pterosaurs, like their dinosaur relatives, didn't wait until they were fully grown to have sex, a new study suggests.

Researchers examined microscopic tree ring-like growth markings in hundreds of bones from a pterosaur species Pterodaustro guiñazui—seen in an artist's rendering above—and found the reptile matured early.

Illustration by Stephanie Abramowicz/Courtesy of the Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County