Giant pterodactyl with a wingspan similar to F-16 fighter discoveredMarch 16, 2018 - 16:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Experts at the University of Bath have discovered that a giant pterodactyl with a wingspan similar to an F-16 fighter jet soared above North Africa 66 million years ago, SomersetLive reports. The creature with a 30 foot wingspan is among six new species of the prehistoric flying reptiles unveiled by a British led team of scientists. Pterodactyls, also known as pterosaurs, were cousins of the dinosaurs and glided above their heads on wings made of skin supported by a single huge finger. They were the largest animals ever to take to the air and the remarkable discovery shows they were wiped out in their prime. Pterodactyls were previously thought to be declining before the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous, caused by an asteroid impact 66 million years ago. The new pterosaurs ranged in wingspan from a little over two metres to almost ten (six to 30 feet), almost three times bigger than the largest living bird, the wandering albatross. They weighed up to 200 kg (440lbs). A NATO F-16 would be just five feet wider. The biggest, named, Arambourgiania, would have had a wingspan more than three times that of Alcione, the smallest. Photo. AP/Itsuo Inouye Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |