Remains of the world’s largest Jurassic pterosaur found on Isle of Skye given a Gaelic name

The Isle of Skye (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgitheanach) is the largest and northernmost of the major islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Now fossil hunters have announced that 170m years ago the Isle of Skye was home to an enormous flying reptile called Jurassic pterosaur (pterodactyl) with a wingspan of about 8 feet (2.5 metres) or larger. 

Initially discovered by PhD student Amelia Penny in a layer of ancient limestone on Skye's coast a detailed examination of the fossil skeleton has now been undertaken. The research, led by PhD student Natalia Jagielska, also revealed the creature was a species new to science. It has now been given the Gaelic name Dearc sgiathanach which translates as both "winged reptile" and "reptile from Skye".

Image of Jurassic pterosaur courtesy of The Guardian.