Hi Boys and Girls,
So, what's in a name? You all have names. And, perhaps you were named after a special member of your family. You have learned the names of people, places, things and ideas since you were a tot, and maybe even called someone a-not-so-nice-name.
Yet, when one least expects it, a name becomes very important, as was the case with a little girl named Daisy Morris. A newly discovered small flying reptile, pterosaur— is now officially known as Vectidraco daisymorrisae, “Daisy and the Isle of Wight Dragon,” A tribute to Daisy Morris who found it. It turns out in 2009, when Daisy Morris was five years old, she was walking along a beach at the Isle of Wight which is located in the UK when she stumbled across “tiny little black bones sticking out of the mud and decided to dig a bit further and scoop them all out.”
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| Isle of Wight, UK |
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| Daisy Morris, amongst her varied collections |
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| 115 million-year-old pterosaur fossil, pelvis, just 40 mm long |
After Daisy and her parents consulted with Martin Simpson, the fossil expert at the University of Southhampton, it was determined the fossil was the remains of a 115 million-year-old unknown small flying reptile species—or pterosaur. The fossil is about the size of a crow. Martin Simpson, the fossil expert at the university claims the importance of, "major discoveries can be made by amateurs, often by being in the right place at the right time.”
The family has donated the fossil to the Museum of Natural History in London. However, Martin Simpson has written a children’s book, Daisy and the Isle of Wight Dragon telling of her experiences.
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| Book by Martin Simpson, and a picture of five-year-old Daisy, budding fossil collector |
Martin says: "The story highlights the special relationship between amateurs, academics and curators, in bringing these important finds to the attention of the scientific world. It also shows that, continuing a long tradition in palaeontology, major discoveries can be made by amateurs, often by being in the right place at the right time."
'The University of Southampton is home to the UK's largest and most productive vertebrate palaeontology research group working on fossils from the Isle of Wight and collecting new ones.
From 20 - 21 September, the University of Southampton will host a major international conference to celebrate the Isle of Wight and the uniqueness of the Island for dinosaurs and our global understanding of animal evolution at the dawn of the Cretaceous.'
As far as Daisy is concerned, she continues to collect fossils. Her bedroom reportedly resembles a natural history museum, filled with her ongoing discoveries. What items fill your room? Check hers out: look at the second image!
So, for all of you who are fossil and dinosaur enthusiasts, no need to fly out to UK, instead look closely, maybe you'll find a hidden treasure in your own back yard!
Be well kids!
The Teach
