Shenzhoupterus

Name: Shenzhoupterus (Shenzhou wing).
Phonetic: Shen-zoop-teh-rus.
Named By: Lü Junchang, David Unwin, Xu Li & Zhang Xingliao - 2008.
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea, Azhdarchoidea, Chaoyangopteridae.
Species: S. chaoyangensis (type).
Type: Carnivore.
Size: 1.4 meter wingspan.
Known locations: China, Liaoning Province - Jiufotang Formation.
Time period: Aptian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Complete but crushed skeleton.

       The toothless beak of Shenzhoupterus is quite characteristic of the azdarchid line of pterosaurs and indicates a potentially carnivorous diet not restricted to fish. The skull of Shenzhoupterus is proportionately deep and the antorbital fenestra is especially large to accomodate this morphology. A convex shaped crest also rose up from the top of the skull, starting from just before the antorbital fenestra, curving over the eye, and ending in contact with a bony extension that extended from the back of the skull.

Further reading
- A new azhdarchoid pterosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of China and its implications for pterosaur phylogeny and evolution. - Naturwissenschften 95:891-897. - J. Lü, D. M. Unwin, L. Xu & X. Zhang - 2008.

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