Huanhepterus

Huan-hep-teh-rus.
By Benjamin Gutierrez
Published on

Benjamin Gutierrez

Vertebrate Paleontologist

Benjamin Gutierrez is a leading expert on dinosaurs, particularly the mighty theropods. His fieldwork in South America has uncovered new species and provided insights into dinosaur social structures.

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Gutierrez, B. (2016, February 2). Huanhepterus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/huanhepterus/

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Name

Huanhepterus (Huanh wing).

Phonetic

Huan-hep-teh-rus.

Named By

Dong - 1982.

Classification

Chordata, Reptilia, Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea, Ctenochasmatoidea, Ctenochasmatidae, Gnathosaurinae.

Diet

Filter feeder.

Species

H. quingyangensis

Size

Estimated at 2.5 meters long.

Known locations

China, Gansu Province - Huachihuanhe Formation.

Time Period

Late Jurassic.

Fossil representation

One articulated skeleton of partial remains.

In Depth

       The type specimen of Huanhepterus was discovered when it was exposed after a quarry side was blasted by explosives. Unfortunately this blast also destroyed the right hand side of the specimen. Huanhepterus was placed within the Ctenochasmatoidea group of pterosaurs because of the large number of slender teeth, and for this reason Huanhepterus has been presumed to be a filter feeder.

Further Reading

– On a new Pterosauria (Huanhepterus quingyangensis gen. et sp. nov.) from Ordos, China. – Vertebrata PalAsiatica 20(2):115-121. – Z. Dong – 1982.

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