In Depth When discovered, Domeykodactylus was mistaken for the filter feeding pterosaur Pterodaustro because the remains of its head crest were thought to be specialised teeth for straining water. In actuality Domeykodactylus had teeth in raised sockets, and although not preserved, they would probably have been relatively small. This adaptation has seen Domeykodactylus placed within … Read more
In Depth It’s kind of obvious that the team behind the naming of the pterosaur Ikrandraco are fans of the 2009 film Avatar. The Ikran part of the name is a reference to the Ikran of the film, flying dragon-like creatures that are ridden by the Na’vi. The inspiration for this came from the large … Read more
In Depth Jidapterus has had an uncertain phylogenetic history with researchers either not knowing or not agreeing on where to place it. Most now agree that Jidapterus belongs with the azhdarchid pterosaurs within the chaoyangopteridae because of its similarities to Chaoyangopterus which was described in the same year as Jidapterus. Further Reading – On a … Read more
In Depth Pterosaurs that belong to the Dsungaripteridae group are thought to have primarily if not exclusively fed upon shell fish, and adaptations for this diet can be clearly seen in Dsungaripterus itself. The tip of the snout is toothless and curves upwards. This would have been ideal for levering up shellfish that were stuck … Read more
In Depth Eudimorphodon represents one of the earliest known pterosaurs, and already features that include a possibly vaned tail like that seen in Rhamphorhynchus can be clearly seen to be established. However the tail seems to lack stiffening tendons that can be seen in the rhamphorhynchoid group, and may have been of little use in … Read more
In Depth ‘Wing snout’ may be an unusual name, but this one is in reference to the tall head crest of Pterorhynchus, which in itself is unusual by its very presence in a rhamphorhynchoid pterosaur. This crest rose up from where the nostrils began, rising at a steep angle before curving round to join the … Read more
In Depth Thapunngaka is a genus of pterosaur that lived in Australia during the early Cretaceous. The holotype of Thapunngaka is the anterior section of a lower jaw, and this makes establishing the body form and size of Thapunngaka very difficult and impossible to do with certainty. However, Thapunngaka does seem to have been a … Read more
In Depth The most striking feature of Thalassodromeus is the highly ornate head crest, one of the largest known among pterosaurs. From the side this crest resembles the pharaoh crown that is often depicted in artwork of ancient Egyptian gods. It is for this reason that the type species is named T. sethi, after the … Read more
In Depth The teeth of Haopterus are quite robust. As well as extending for the first two thirds of the jaws they also point towards the back of the mouth. These teeth are well adapted for catching and holding onto fish, which seem to be the preferred diet of pterosaurs that belong to the Ornithocheiridae. … Read more
In Depth To realise the full meaning of the name Ludodactylus (toy finger), you may have to revisit your childhood. Whereas Pteranodon is by far the most easily recognised pterosaur by the general public, toys of it often have the presence of teeth in its jaws in order to make it look more ferocious. This … Read more