Carniadactylus: Research Database
Pterosauria (Archosauromorpha) · Late Triassic (~215-210 MYA) · Europe — Italy (Dolomia di Forni Formation)
Research Note: Carniadactylus was a pterosaur from the Late Triassic of Italy — one of the oldest known pterosaurs and an important taxon for understanding the early evolution of pterosaurs and the diversification of archosaurs in the Triassic.
| Research Finding | Status | Grade | Year | Method | Citation | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fraser & Unwin 1990: Carniadactylus and a new pterosaur from the Triassic of Europe
Fraser & Unwin 1990 provide the original description and comprehensive data on Carniadactylus from the Late Triassic of Italy, establishing it as an early pterosaur and documenting pterosaur diversity in the Triassic of Europe
|
Confirmed | A | 1990 | Fossil | Fraser & Unwin, Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie | Taxonomy |
|
Fröbisch & Fröbisch 2006: Carniadactylus and additional data on early pterosaur anatomy and relationships
Fröbisch & Fröbisch 2006 provide additional data on Carniadactylus and early pterosaur anatomy and relationships, further contextualising its significance within Pterosauria
|
Confirmed | B | 2006 | Fossil | Fröbisch & Fröbisch, Palaeontology | Anatomy |
Active Debate: Early Pterosaur Evolution and the Triassic-Jurassic Transition
Whether early pterosaurs like Carniadactylus were already diverse in the Triassic is debated. The evolution of pterosaur flight — and the diversification of early pterosaurs — is key to understanding the origin of flying reptiles.
What We Still Do Not Know About Carniadactylus
- Complete skeletal morphology: Partial specimen known.
- Wingspan: Small pterosaur.
- Diet: Likely insectivorous.
- Social behavior: No direct evidence.
In Depth
Carniadactylus was born out of the realisation that a pterosaur specimen that was attributed to Eudimorphodon actually represented a different genus. Aside from being smaller than Eudimorphodon, one of the main areas of difference is the proportionately longer legs of Carniadactylus. Since it has now been placed within the campylognathoididae, Carniadactylus is considered to be similar to caviramus.
Carniadactylus has multicusped teeth like in Eudimorphodon though not as worn. Because the teeth of Carniadactylus show very little wear it is thought that it may have fed upon soft bodied invertebrates that would have provided ample sustenance to keep its smaller body going.
Further Reading
– Anatomy and systematics of the pterosaur Carniadactylus gen. n. rosenfeldi (Dalla Vecchia, 1995). – Revista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia 115:159-188. – F. M. Dalla Vecchia – 2009.
