Early pterosaurs featured long tails ending in leaf-shaped vanes, supported by a sophisticated tensioning system. This system, revealed through laser-stimulated fluorescence analysis of fossils, included criss-crossing fibres and tube-like structures that provided stiffness. These tails served a dual purpose: aiding flight by stabilising the vanes and playing a role i…Early pterosaurs featured long tails ending in leaf-shaped vanes, supported by a sophisticated tensioning system. This system, revealed through laser-stimulated fluorescence analysis of fossils, included criss-crossing fibres and tube-like structures that provided stiffness. These tails served a dual purpose: aiding flight by stabilising the vanes and playing a role i…