Jidapterus

Ji-dap-teh-rus.
Published on

Nisha Yadav

Physicist

Nisha Yadav is a dedicated physicist whose work bridges the gap between physics and paleontology. With a deep interest in the processes that preserve ancient life, she explores how physical principles govern fossilization and the preservation of extinct species.

Cite Feedback Print

Name

Jidapterus (J�l�n D�xu� wing).

Phonetic

Ji-dap-teh-rus.

Named By

Dong Zhiming, Sun Yue-Wu & Wu Shao-Yuan - 2003.

Classification

Chordata, Reptilia, Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea, Azhdarchoidea, Chaoyangopteridae.

Diet

Carnivore/Piscivore.

Species

J. edentus

Size

Estimates 1.7 meter wingspan.

Known locations

China, Liaoning Province - Jiufotang Formation.

Time Period

Aptian of the Cretaceous.

Fossil representation

Almost complete individual.

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 new pterosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of Chaoyang Basin, Western Liaoning, China. – Global Geology 22:1-7. – Z.-M. Dong, Y.-W. Sun, and S.-Y. Wu – 2003. – The toothless pterosaur Jidapterus edentus (Pterodactyloidea: Azhdarchoidea) from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota and its paleoecological implications. – PLoS ONE. 12 (9): e0185486. – W-H. Wu, C-F. Zhou & B. Andres – 2017.

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT