Kepodactylus

Ke-po-dak-ty-lus.
By Lilah Turner
Published on

Lilah Turner

Evolutionary Biologist

Lilah Turner investigates how prehistoric animals adapted to changing environments, offering insights into evolution's mechanisms.

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Turner, L. (2012, March 2). Kepodactylus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/kepodactylus/

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Name

Kepodactylus (Garden finger).

Phonetic

Ke-po-dak-ty-lus.

Named By

Jerald Harris and Kenneth Carpenter - 1996.

Classification

Chordata, Reptilia, Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea.

Diet

Uncertain.

Species

K. insperatus

Size

Estimated 2.5 meter wingspan.

Known locations

USA, Colorado - Morrison Formation.

Time Period

Kimmeridgian to Tithonian of the Jurassic.

Fossil representation

Single specimen of partial post cranial remains including vertebra, humerus, metatarsal and finger bones.

In Depth

       The discovery of the pterosaur Kepodactylus was actually a by-product of the recovery of a Stegosaurus in Garden Park, Colorado. This is how Kepodactylus got a name meaning ‘garden finger’. The species name insperatus is referenced to the discovery of Kepodactylus being a pleasant surprise to the dig team.

Further Reading

– A large pterodactyloid from the Morrison Formation (Late Jurassic) of Garden Park, Colorado. – Neues Jahrbuch f�r Geologie und Pal�ontologie Monatshefte 1996(8):473-484. – J. D. Harrris & K. Carpenter – 1996.

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