In Depth Liaoningopterus was one of the largest pterosaurs known from China, and is considered to be similar to the pterosaur Anhanguera known from all over the world. Liaoningopterus had two crests on both the top of its snout and lower jaw, similar to Ornithocheirus which is why Liaoningopterus is placed within the Ornithocheiridae. Also … Read more
Haopterus: Research Database Mesozoic · Fossil Record Research Note: Haopterus was a significant fossil species providing important data on vertebrate evolution. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Labita & Martill 2020: Haopterus and pterosaur diversity in the Cretaceous Cretaceous Research Confirmed A 2020 Fossil Labita & Martill, Cretaceous Research Diversity Martill … Read more
In Depth To realise the full meaning of the name Ludodactylus (toy finger), you may have to revisit your childhood. Whereas Pteranodon is by far the most easily recognised pterosaur by the general public, toys of it often have the presence of teeth in its jaws in order to make it look more ferocious. This … Read more
Cearadactylus: Research Database Pterodactyloidea (Pterosauria) · Early Cretaceous (~115 MYA) · South America — Brazil (Santana Formation) Research Note: Cearadactylus was a large pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil — known from exceptional three-dimensional specimens in the Santana Formation and an important taxon for understanding pterosaur diversity in the Cretaceous of South … Read more
Ornithocheirus: Research Database Ornithocheiridae (Pterosauria) · Early Cretaceous (~130–112 MYA) · South America — Brazil (Santana do Cariri, Araripe Basin); Europe — England Research Note: Ornithocheirus was an ornithocheirid pterosaur known from the Early Cretaceous of Brazil (Araripe Basin) and England (Wealden Group). As one of the historically first pterosaurs described from the Cretaceous, … Read more
Yixianopterus: Research Database Reptilia (Pterosauria) · Early Cretaceous (~120 MYA) · Asia — China Research Note: Yixianopterus was a pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Liaoning, China — significant for understanding pterosaur diversity and the evolution of flight in the Cretaceous of East Asia. Research Finding Status Grade Year Method Citation Impact Labita … Read more
Caulkicephalus: Research Database Pterodactylidae (Pterosauria) · Early Cretaceous (~130–125 MYA) · Europe — England, Isle of Wight (Wessex Formation) Research Note: Caulkicephalus was a medium-sized pterodactylid pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous of the Isle of Wight, England. Its discovery helped establish that pterodactylid pterosaurs persisted into the Early Cretaceous in Europe — a time … Read more
In Depth Despite the fact that Mythunga is only known from a partial skull it is still one of the best preserved Australian pterosaur fossils which are in themselves rare from Australia. This is not to say that Australia didn’t have its fair share of pterosaurs, just that they did not preserve very well in … Read more
Coloborhynchus: Research Database Anhangueridae (Pterosauria) · Early Cretaceous (~140–120 MYA) · Europe — England (Wealden Group), Brazil Research Note: Coloborhynchus was an anhanguerid pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous of England and Brazil. As a large-bodied pterosaur with distinctive grouped teeth adapted for catching fish, it provides important data on the diversity and paleobiogeography of … Read more
Ferrodraco: Research Database Pterodactyloidea (Pterosauria) · Late Cretaceous (~97 MYA) · Australia (Queensland, Winton Formation) Research Note: Ferrodraco was a pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Queensland, Australia — one of the last known pterosaurs and an important taxon for understanding pterosaur evolution in the Cretaceous of Gondwana. Research Finding Status Grade … Read more