Newfound species of dinosaur was 'built for flying'

PARIS - Scientists on Monday unveiled a previously unknown species of giant pterosaur, the first creatures with a backbone to fly under their own power.

Neither dino nor bird, pterosaurs - more commonly known as pterodactyls - emerged during the late Triassic period more than 200 million years ago and lorded over primeval skies until a massive space rock slammed into Earth, wiping out the dinosaurs and most other forms of life some 65 million years ago.

The newly discovered member of the family, identified through remains found in the US state of Utah, had a wingspan of 1.5 meters and 112 teeth, including fang-like spikes sticking out near the snout.