Although it's not nearly as well known as others of its kind, Eudimorphodon holds an important place in paleontology as one of the earliest pterosaurs: this tiny, winged reptile hopped around the shores of Europe a whopping 210 million years ago, during the late Triassic period. Eudimorphodon possessed the wing structure--forelimbs embedded in an extended flap of skin--characteristic of all pterosaurs, as well as a diamond-shaped appendage at the end of its tail that probably helped it to steer or to adjust its course in mid-air. (By the way, despite its name, Eudimorphodon wasn't particularly closely related to Dimorphodon, beyond the fact that they were both pterosaurs.)
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Bob Strauss is a freelance writer and book author; one of his specialties is explaining scientific concepts and discoveries to both a lay and professional audience.
Bob Strauss is the author of two best-selling question-and-answer books that range across the expanse of science, biology, history and culture: The Big Book of What, How and Why (Main Street, 2005) and Who Knew? Hundreds & Hundreds of Questions & Answers for Curious Minds (Sterling Innovation, 2007).