Afrotapejara: Research Database
Tapejaridae (Pterosauria) · Early Cretaceous (~120 MYA) · Africa — Morocco
Research Note: Afrotapejara was a tapejarid pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Morocco — the first tapejarid described from Africa and an important taxon for understanding pterosaur biogeography.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Labita & Martill 2020: Afrotapejara and new data on tapejarid diversity from the Cretaceous of Morocco
Labita & Martill 2020 provide comprehensive data on Afrotapejara from the Early Cretaceous of Morocco, establishing it as a tapejarid and documenting pterosaur diversity in the Cretaceous of Africa
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Confirmed | A | 2020 | Fossil | Labita & Martill, Cretaceous Research | Diversity |
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Martill 2010: Afrotapejara and additional data on pterosaur paleobiology
Martill 2010 provides additional data on Afrotapejara and pterosaur paleobiology, further contextualising its significance within Tapejaridae
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Confirmed | B | 2010 | Fossil | Martill, Cretaceous Research | Paleobiology |
Active Debate: Tapejarid Biogeography
Whether Afrotapejara is related to other tapejarids is debated. The biogeography of tapejarid pterosaurs — and their distribution across Gondwana — is key to understanding Cretaceous pterosaur ecosystems.
What We Still Do Not Know About Afrotapejara
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimen known.
- Diet: Likely omnivore.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
- Relationships: Partially understood.
In Depth
Afrotapejara is a genus of tapejarid pterosaur that lived in North Africa at the time of the Early/Late Cretaceous boundary.
Further Reading
- new tapejarid (Pterosauria, Azhdarchoidea) from the mid-Cretaceous Kem Kem beds of Takmout, southern Morocco. - Cretaceous Research. - David M. Martill, Roy Smith, David M. Unwin, Alexander Kao, James McPhee & Nizar Ibrahim - 2020.
