In our new paper, published today in @nature & led by Martín Ezcurra @MacnVp, we present evidence that lagerpetids, a group of Triassic reptiles, are the closest evolutionary relatives of pterosaurs, the flying reptiles. (Art: Rodolfo Nogueira)

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-3011-4

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The evolutionary origins of pterosaurs have been mysterious, because pterosaur anatomy is very specialized, partially due to the full flight adaptation in even the earliest representatives 2/9

We show that lagerpetids bridge the temporal and anatomical gap to pterosaurs. Our phylogeny implies that pterosaur evolution does not require very high rates of evolution if lagerpetids are included as their sister group 3/9

Support for our hypothesis of evolutionary relationships comes from across the entire skeleton, and also from neuroanatomical information. Lagerpetids were prob. quite active animals, possibly arboreal & their sensory capabilities might have paved the way for pterosaurs 4/9

Our study is a puzzle piece in understanding pterosaur evolution, with many open questions to tackle in the future. But we provide a new framework to study the origin of the group, including the earliest vertebrate origin of active flight! 5/9

@MacnVp (Martín Ezcurra) led a large team of researchers that gathered info fr lagerpetid specimens from around the globe. I myself am no Triassic reptile worker, but I contributed w/ the Bayesian phylogeny & landmarking inner ears & coding new neuroanatomical characters. 6/9

I didn't realize what this would amount to when Martín invited me, but I was keen fr the start b/c I could collaborate w/ people that I respect & like. I met Martín & @BronzatiMario when they were PhDs & I an u-grad in Munich, & Randy was a mentor during my studies in Utah 7/9

It was a pleasure to work with @VTechmeetsPaleo, @alanhturner, @agu_martinelli, my former PhD supervisor @BensonLabOxford, & all the people who I don't even know if they are on twitter. 8/9

Thanks to everyone in the team! Thanks also to @SteveBrusatte & Nick Fraser & other reviewers for their comments as well as H. Gee as editor. Also, the artwork produced by Rodolfo Nogueira is absolutely breathtaking! 9/9