Distinctive azhdarchoid pterosaur jaws from the mid-Cretaceous Cambridge Greensand of eastern England and the Kem Kem Group of Morocco DOI Creative Commons
Roy E. Smith, David M. Martill, Samir Zouhri

et al.

Proceedings of the Geologists Association, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 134(3), P. 269 - 275

Published: April 4, 2023

An isolated jaw fragment from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Cambridge Greensand Member of West Melbury Marly Chalk Formation previously identified as a cestraciontid shark fin spine is referred to pterosaur clade Azhdarchoidea on account its lateral and occlusal foramina edentuly. The specimen differs azhdarchoid Ornithostoma sedgwicki same deposit in having flat surfaces an acute dorsal/ventral apex. similar overall morphology CAMSM B40085 horizon probably represents corresponding but different individual. Likely these specimens represent new taxon are considered too fragmentary diagnose at present. A remarkably distinctive found unnamed jaws Kem Group (?Albian-Cenomanian) Morocco, supporting idea faunal similarity between two distant localities.

Language: Английский

The pterosaurs of the Cretaceous Kem Kem Group of Morocco DOI Creative Commons
Roy E. Smith, Nizar Ibrahim, Nicholas R. Longrich

et al.

PalZ, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 97(3), P. 519 - 568

Published: Feb. 4, 2023

Abstract The pterosaur assemblage of the mid-Cretaceous Kem Group Morocco is reviewed. This analysis examines their taxonomy, palaeoecology and palaeobiology with comments on taphonomy. New material permits rediagnosis azhdarchoids Alanqa saharica Afrotapejara zouhrii . Several specimens are reported that do not fit within paradigms previously named taxa. They represent three distinct jaw morphotypes, but assigned to new taxa here. highly diverse, including four tooth-bearing Ornithocheiridae five additional morphotypes Azhdarchoidea. most diverse for any pterosaur-bearing fluvial deposit one assemblage. heavily biased in terms preservation an as yet unexplained high abundance fragments. We highlight importance fragmentary studies.

Language: Английский

Citations

12
A ‘giant’ pterodactyloid pterosaur from the British Jurassic DOI Creative Commons

James L. Etienne,

Roy E. Smith, David M. Unwin

et al.

Proceedings of the Geologists Association, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 135(3), P. 335 - 348

Published: May 24, 2024

The fossil remains of a pterodactyloid pterosaur from the Kimmeridge Clay Formation (Jurassic: Tithonian) Abingdon, Oxfordshire, central England are identified as partial left first wing finger phalanx. elongation phalanx and distinctive morphology proximal articular region, in particular square outline extensor tendon process, permit specimen to be assigned Ctenochasmatoidea. Although fragmentary, it is sufficiently well preserved determine accurately its dimensions when complete. Morphometric analysis reveals represent one largest known examples Jurassic pterosaur, with an estimated wingspan at least 3 m, pterodactyloids reported United Kingdom.

Language: Английский

Citations

4
Cretaceous pterosaur history, diversity and extinction DOI Creative Commons
David M. Martill, Roy E. Smith

Geological Society London Special Publications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 544(1)

Published: Feb. 2, 2024

Abstract Pterosaurs, the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight, dominated Mesozoic skies from Late Triassic end Cretaceous, a span of around 154 Myr (∼220–66 Ma). They achieved their greatest diversity in mid-Cretaceous and had become globally distributed, even occurring at high latitudes wide range habitats. The pterosaur record is by occurrences conservation Lagerstätten just handful countries narrow temporal windows, most notably China, Germany Brazil, Middle–Upper Jurassic mid-Cretaceous. During two major clades evolved edentulism, such that no toothed pterosaurs survived, having extinct mid-Cenomanian. A distinctive aspect evolution during was achievement gigantic wingspans, perhaps excess 10 m, hyper-elongation neck vertebrae Azhdarchidae, highly elaborate cranial crests. For many years, terminal stage Cretaceous regarded as low, but discoveries last few decades have indicated taxic remained until Maastrichtian, although morphological may been low. demise Pterosauria K/Pg boundary likely due same causes coeval dinosaur extinction associated with Chicxulub bolide impact its environmental repercussions. Faunal replacement avians longer considered significant factor extinction.

Language: Английский

Citations

3
New Pterosaur Tracks from the Hwasun Seoyuri Tracksite (Turonian) of South Korea: Implications for their Ecological Niche and Habitat DOI
Jongyun Jung, Min Huh

Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 645, P. 112218 - 112218

Published: April 24, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Postcranial anatomy of Dsungaripterus weii (Pterosauria: Ornithocheiroidea) from the Lower Cretaceous of Wuerho, China DOI
Junyi Song, Shunxing Jiang, Xiaolin Wang

et al.

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Oct. 16, 2024

Ornithocheiroidea was a globally diverse group of pterosaurs during the Cretaceous. However, well-documented ornithocheiroids are highly derived, hampering our understanding on morphological evolution this clade. Dsungaripterus weii Young, 1964 from Lower Cretaceous Tugulu Group (Valanginian) Junggar Basin is an iconic early member Ornithocheiroidea. known numerous three-dimensionally preserved specimens, ranging isolated bones to partially articulated individuals. Here we provide comprehensive description postcranium Dsungaripterus. We find that has many autapomorphies in postcranial skeleton parallelling its unique skull, including asynchronous fusion between sacrum and pelvis posterodorsal fossa humerus with paper-thin bone wall. also displays some plesiomorphic features Ornithoecheiroidea, for example, limb relatively thick walls, variably reduced pneumatic cervical vertebrae appendicular skeletons, absence spinoprezygapophyseal spinopostzygapophyseal ridges middle-series vertebrae, at least one metacarpal articulating distal syncarpal, distally displaced adductor ridge femur. Additionally, possesses unexpected possibly convergent other members Although skeletons represented by osteologically mature notable variation present. Functional reconstructions several aspects elucidated, arrangement metacarpophalangeal region terrestrial locomotion. Niche partitioning two dsungaripterids Wuerho, Noripterus, supported their distinct dentitions, neck morphology, proportions.

Language: Английский

Citations

2
Evidence for a mixed-age group in a pterosaur footprint assemblage from the early Upper Cretaceous of Korea DOI Creative Commons
Jongyun Jung, Min Huh, David M. Unwin

et al.

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: June 23, 2022

Here we describe a new pterosaur footprint assemblage from the Hwasun Seoyuri tracksite in Upper Cretaceous Jangdong Formation of Neungju Basin Korea. The consists many randomly oriented prints remarkably high densities but represents single ichnotaxon, Pteraichnus. Individuals exhibit large continuous size range, some which, with wingspan estimated at 0.5 m, are among smallest pterosaurs yet reported Cretaceous, adding to other recent finds which contradict idea that and giant forms entirely dominated this interval. Unusual features tracks, including relatively long, slender pedal digit impressions, do not match pes any known pterosaur, suggesting trackmakers as unknown body fossil record. footprints appear record gregarious behavior exact location by individuals different ages, hinting possibility gathered mixed-age groups.

Language: Английский

Citations

10
Comparative taphonomy of Kem Kem Group (Cretaceous) pterosaurs of southeast Morocco DOI Creative Commons
Roy E. Smith, David M. Martill, Nicholas R. Longrich

et al.

Evolving Earth, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 1, P. 100006 - 100006

Published: Aug. 9, 2023

Although diverse, disparate, widespread, and long-lived, our understanding of the Mesozoic pterosaurs is heavily biased by specimens from Konservat-Lagerstätten. Here we consider pterosaur assemblage mid-Cretaceous Kem Group southeast Morocco compare its taphonomy to other Cretaceous pterosaur-bearing assemblages. The bones are usually fragmentary isolated but preserved three-dimensionally, with excellent preservation macroscopic internal structures bone histology at ultrastructural levels. dominated azhdarchoid jaw fragments, all anterior nasoantorbital fenestra divergence mandibular rami. Post-cranial elements much rarer a striking lack syncarpals, despite being some most robust skeleton. Comparisons similar deposits in United Kingdom, Uzbekistan USA suggest that this relative skeletal abundance unusual for perceived overabundance material likely result combination factors including inherent mechanical strength jaws, selective predation scavenging transportation/hydrodynamic sorting elements. should be considered Konzentrat-Lagerstätte due high vertebrate material. Despite nature material, it has microscopic scales. among species diverse known, taphonomic processes biases obscure true diversity.

Language: Английский

Citations

6
New postcranial remains from the Lealt Shale Formation of the Isle of Skye, Scotland, showcase hidden pterosaur diversity in the Middle Jurassic DOI Creative Commons
Natalia Jagielska, Thomas J. Challands,

Michael O’Sullivan

et al.

Scottish Journal of Geology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 59(1-2)

Published: April 18, 2023

The Early to Middle Jurassic transition was significant in pterosaur evolution, during which these volant reptiles exploded diversity alongside dinosaurs and other animals. It has long been thought, however, that pterosaurs did not develop large wingspans until after the Jurassic, a notion challenged by recent discovery of Dearc sgiathanach Bathonian-aged Lealt Shale Formation Isle Skye, Scotland, whose holotype specimen had an estimated wingspan greater than 2.5 m. We here report new from Formation, comprising tibiotarsus, metatarsal, pedal phalanges caudal vertebrae. elongate tail vertebrae with ossified processes indicate is non-pterodactyloid pterosaur, albeit its fragmentary nature makes it difficult determine whether belongs taxon. Its metatarsal are considerably larger corresponding bones holotype, indicating belonged even individual, thus demonstrating broad were anomalous Jurassic. growing record Scotland England, although mostly represented isolated fossils, reveals high clades, obscured lack well-preserved skeletons.

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Re-evaluation of Pterodactylus antiquus and Diopecephalus kochi : two troublesome taxonomic concepts DOI Creative Commons

Robert S.H. Smyth,

David M. Unwin

Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 22(1)

Published: Dec. 17, 2024

The taxonomic histories of Pterodactylus antiquus and other pterodactyloids from the Upper Jurassic plattenkalks southern Germany are long complex, reflecting centuries intricate often contentious research. Among most debated issues in pterosaur taxonomy is relationship between Diopecephalus (Pterodactylus) kochi. Three distinct interpretations their have been proposed: (1) P. D. kochi conspecific part an ontogenetic sequence; (2) sister taxa; (3) taxa not each other's closest relatives. Through analysis key anatomical features, including skull morphology, dentition autopodial anatomy, we demonstrate that do share close affinities. Phylogenetic recovered as basal member Pterodactyloidea, retaining features comparable with those non-pterodactyloids. Set within a temporal framework, this challenges traditional assumptions regarding pattern timing pterodactyloid evolution Jurassic, hinting at longer more complex history than previously realized.

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Distinctive azhdarchoid pterosaur jaws from the mid-Cretaceous Cambridge Greensand of eastern England and the Kem Kem Group of Morocco DOI Creative Commons
Roy E. Smith, David M. Martill, Samir Zouhri

et al.

Proceedings of the Geologists Association, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 134(3), P. 269 - 275

Published: April 4, 2023

An isolated jaw fragment from the Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Cambridge Greensand Member of West Melbury Marly Chalk Formation previously identified as a cestraciontid shark fin spine is referred to pterosaur clade Azhdarchoidea on account its lateral and occlusal foramina edentuly. The specimen differs azhdarchoid Ornithostoma sedgwicki same deposit in having flat surfaces an acute dorsal/ventral apex. similar overall morphology CAMSM B40085 horizon probably represents corresponding but different individual. Likely these specimens represent new taxon are considered too fragmentary diagnose at present. A remarkably distinctive found unnamed jaws Kem Group (?Albian-Cenomanian) Morocco, supporting idea faunal similarity between two distant localities.

Language: Английский

Citations

3