In Depth
Although Jianchangnathus has been found to have several similarities with Scaphognathus, its frontal teeth actually pointed forwards like with Dorygnathus. This may have been to make it easier for Jianchangnathus to pick up fish with its mouth, significantly increasing the chance of successful prey capture.
Another pterosaur from the same deposit is Fenghuangopterus, a pterosaur which is thought to be different to Jianchangnathus on the basis of differing wing proportions and number of teeth.
Further Reading
– A new scaphognathid pterosaur from western Liaoning, China. – Historical Biology 24(1):101-111. – X. Cheng, X. Wang, S. Jiang & A. W. A. Kellner – 2012.
