In Depth Cathayopterus is another member of the filter feeding group of pterosaurs that are known from all over the world with particularly notable genera hailing from South America (Pterodaustro) and Europe (Ctenochasma). Further Reading – Pterosaur assemblages of the Jehol Biota and their implication for the Early Cretaceous pterosaur radiation. – Geological Journal. 41 … Read more
In Depth Navajodactylus was named in honour of the Navajo Nation with the genus name also incorporating the Greek ‘dactylus’ for ‘finger’, like in many other pterosaurs. The species name honours Arjan C. Boer� who discovered the holotype specimen in the Kirtland Formation back in 2002. Navajodactylus has been placed within the azhdarchidae pterosaurs, although … Read more
In Depth Ctenochasma is one of the few known filter feeding pterosaurs, and its name heads up the group Ctenochasmatidae which includes similar pterosaurs such as Pterodaustro and Unwindia. The method of pterosaurs filter feeding is quite simple as instead of having the large needle like teeth associated with catching fish and insects, pterosaurs like … Read more
In Depth Argentinadraco is a genus of azdarchid pterosaur that lived in South America during the late Cretaceous. At the time of its description, Argentinadraco is only known from the frontal half of the lower jaws, so it is difficult to ascertain specific details about this pterosaur. Further Reading - New azhdarchoid pterosaur (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) … Read more
In Depth For much of the early part of its scientific life the pterosaur Arambourgiania was known as Titanopteryx, however in 1987 Lev Nesov was made aware that the genus name was already being used by a fly. Under ICZN rules, no two animals may share the same genus name. Nesov renamed the specimen Arambourgiania … Read more
In Depth Despite being known from only scant fossil material, Normannognathus seems to have been a dsungaripterid pterosaur, a group noted for specialising in shellfish. The teeth seem to have covered at least the entire front portion of the jaws with teeth being present in the tip, although it is unknown how far back they … Read more
In Depth Determining the phylogenetic position of Chaoyangopterus was problematic to the extent that the Chaoyangopteridae has now been created within the Azhdarchoidea to accommodate it and other similar pterosaurs. Chaoyangopterus is toothless and is thought to have been a piscivore. Further Reading – Two new pterodactyloid pterosaurs from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of … Read more
In Depth Alcione is a genus of small nyctosaurid pterosaur that lived in North Africa during the late Cretaceous. Alcione is noted for having very short wings, something that could aid either flapping flight, or perhaps streamlining for use after entering water. This feature combined with the knowledge of the Alcione fossils coming from a … Read more
In Depth Although currently known from only a lower jaw Aetodactylus is believed to represent an ornithocheirid pterosaur, and as such it is only the second of its type to have been discovered in North America. The pointed teeth of Aetodactylus are pointed and evenly arranged into pairs, the first of which project forwards. This … Read more
In Depth Iberodactylus is a genus of pterosaur that lived in Europe during the early Cretaceous. Iberodactylus is thought to be related to the genus Hamipterus. For this reason the describers used more complete remains of Hamipterus to gauge the size of Iberodactylus, the result of which was a wingspan estimate of up to about … Read more