Scientists have discovered a new type of pterosaur in outback Queensland, with the find rewriting the history of the species.

Pterosaurs were ancient flying reptiles, close cousins of dinosaurs, which ruled the skies of the ancient world for over 150 million years.

This pterosaur was discovered in the fossil fields around Winton in regional Queensland in 2017, and the research team believes it’s a member of a group of pterosaurs which were thought to have gone extinct around 94 million years ago.

An artist's impression of Ferrodraco lentoni, which ruled the skies of ancient Queensland until around 90 million years ago. Credit:Travis R. Tischler

Paleontologist Adele Pentland is spearheading the team researching the newly discovered pterosaur, and said they believe it survived until around 90 million years ago.