Jidapterus

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 … Read more

Eopteranodon

In Depth        Eopteranodon gets its name from how its jaws and crest look like those on the more famous pterosaur Pteranodon that existed later in the Cretaceous of North America. Eopteranodon however was not only much smaller than Pteranodon but it is actually of a different pterosaur family. Further Reading Further reading- New pterodactyloid pterosaur … Read more

Lacusovagus

In Depth        Analysis of the Lacusovagus fossils indicates that it is a member of the Chaoyangopteridae family of pterosaurs. This is significant as it up until the discovery of Lacusovagus, the members of this group were known only from Asia. Further Reading – A new azhdarchoid pterosaur from the Crato Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Aptian?) of … Read more

Chaoyangopterus

In Depth        Determining the phylogenetic position of Chaoyangopterus was problematic to the extent that the Chaoyangopteridae has now been created within the Azhdarchoidea to accommodate it and other similar pterosaurs. Chaoyangopterus is toothless and is thought to have been a piscivore. Further Reading – Two new pterodactyloid pterosaurs from the Early Cretaceous Jiufotang Formation of … Read more

Shenzhoupterus

In Depth        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 … Read more