Mesadactylus

Me-sah-dak-tyl-us.
By Emerson Winslow
Published on

Emerson Winslow

Paleoichthyologist

Emerson Winslow delves into the underwater world of prehistoric fish, uncovering the mysteries of early marine life. His discoveries have enhanced understanding of vertebrate evolution in aquatic environments.

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Winslow, E. (2012, July 23). Mesadactylus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/mesadactylus/

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Name

Mesadactylus (Mesa finger).

Phonetic

Me-sah-dak-tyl-us.

Named By

James Jensen & Kevin Padian - 1989.

Classification

Choradata, Reptilia, Pterosauria, Anurognathidae.

Diet

Uncertain due to incomplete fossil material.

Species

M. ornithosphyos (type)

Size

Uncertain due to incomplete fossil material.

Known locations

USA, Colorado - Morrison Formation.

Time Period

Kimmeridgian to Tithonian of the Jurassic.

Fossil representation

Fragmentary partial remains.

In Depth

       Mesadactylus was identified from a synsacrum, the area where the spinal column meets the hind quarters. Since then more fossil material has been referred to Mesadactylus, and despite minor differences, the suggestion has been made that Mesadactylus may possibly be the same species as Kepodactylus.

Further Reading

– Small pterosaurs and dinosaurs from the Uncompahgre fauna (Brushy Basin Member, Morrison Formation; ?Tithonian), Late Jurassic, western Colorado. – Journal of Paleontology 63(3):364-373. – J. A. Jensen & K. Padian – 1989. – New material of Mesadactylus ornithosphyos, a primitive pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Upper Jurassic of Colorado. – Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 24(4):850-856. – D. K. Smith, R. K. Sanders & K. L. Stadtman – 2004.

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