The first fossils of these creatures with an elongated 4th digit were described in 1784 by Naturalist Cosimo Collini
Find out everything that you need to know about today’s Jeopardy episode, including the Final Jeopardy, clues and answers, and the contestants plus who won tonight!
CATEGORY: Ancient Animals
CLUE: The first fossils of these creatures with an elongated 4th digit were described in 1784 by Naturalist Cosimo Collini
ANSWER: Pterosaur
About Today’s Final Jeopardy – Friday, 26 July 2024
In 1784, Cosimo Collini, who was then the curator of the Natural History Museum at the University of Mannheim, made a groundbreaking contribution to paleontology with his detailed description of the first known pterosaur fossil. Although Collini was unsure of the exact nature of the creature he was examining, his work laid the foundation for the future understanding of these prehistoric flying reptiles. His description was based on a fossil that had been found in the late Jurassic Solnhofen limestone in Germany, a formation famous for its well-preserved fossils. Collini’s initial interpretation of the fossil was quite different from modern understandings; he speculated that the creature might have been an aquatic being, using its long limbs for swimming rather than flying.
The true nature of pterosaurs as flying reptiles began to unfold through the efforts of other scientists, notably Georges Cuvier, who recognized their aerial capabilities. Cuvier, a French naturalist and zoologist, provided critical insights that corrected earlier misconceptions about these creatures. In the early 19th century, he proposed that the elongated fourth digit of pterosaurs supported a wing membrane, a feature that was distinctly adapted for flight. This reinterpretation marked a significant shift in scientific thought and helped to classify pterosaurs correctly within the broader group of vertebrates. His contributions were instrumental in establishing pterosaurs as the first vertebrates known to have achieved powered flight, a remarkable evolutionary achievement that highlighted the diversity and adaptability of prehistoric life.
The study of pterosaurs has continued to evolve, with numerous species identified that exhibited a wide range of sizes, shapes, and ecological niches. These creatures thrived during the Mesozoic Era, with their fossils found on every continent, indicating their widespread distribution and success as aerial predators and scavengers. The wing structure, supported by their uniquely elongated fourth digit, allowed them various flight adaptations, which scientists today study to understand the dynamics of prehistoric flight. Advanced technologies like computerized tomography and 3D modeling have further enhanced our understanding, providing deeper insights into their skeletal structure, muscle attachments, and potential flight mechanisms. Through continued research, the legacy of Cosimo Collini’s first description lives on, underscoring the ongoing quest to unravel the mysteries of these fascinating creatures from our planet’s distant past.
Who Won Jeopardy Tonight? – Friday, 26 July 2024
Looking to find out who won Jeopardy tonight? Scroll down below to find out everyone’s final scores, as well as the scores after the Single Jeopardy and Double Jeopardy rounds!
| Returning Champion | Contestant | Contestant |
|---|---|---|
| Davey Morrison Originally Provo, Utah Actor & Screenwriter 2 Day Winnings of $29,012 Final Score: $999 Round 2 Score: $6,400 Round 1 Score: $4,000 | Steve Babish San Jose, California Marketing Content Strategist Final Score: $10,100 Round 2 Score: $11,500 Round 1 Score: $2,400 | Rachel Bradley Greenbelt, Maryland ESL Instructor Winning Score: $23,597 Round 2 Score: $11,800 Round 1 Score: $3,800 |
Final Jeopardy Video – Friday, 26 July 2024
Watch all the videos from today’s Jeopardy episode below, including highlights, behind the scenes outtakes and full episodes.
Final Jeopardy is the final round of the popular American television game show Jeopardy!, in which participants test their knowledge in numerous areas by answering questions. In Final Jeopardy, participants are given a single clue and must wager a percentage of their existing earnings based on their confidence in their ability to successfully respond.
Each contestant surreptitiously writes down their wager during the commercial break. The Final Jeopardy clue is presented when the programme resumes, and participants have 30 seconds to write down their solution in the form of a question (e.g., “What is…?”). When the timer runs out, the host, reveals each contestant’s response and wager in ascending order of their pre-Final Jeopardy scores. The scores of contestants are adjusted based on whether their response is correct or incorrect, as well as the amount wagered. At the end of the round, the contestant with the highest score is proclaimed the winner.