On Zhejiangopterus and the relationships of pterodactyloid pterosaurs
Title:
On Zhejiangopterus and the relationships of pterodactyloid pterosaurs
Author:
Unwin, David M. Junchang, Lu
Appeared in:
Historical biology
Paging:
Volume 12 (1997) nr. 3-4 pages 199-210
Year:
1997
Contents:
A summary of recent studies on the interrelationships of pterodactyloid pterosaurs is used as a framework for reassessing the taxonomic status of Zhejiangopterus, a new, long-necked, Late Cretaceous pterosaur from China that has been assigned to the Nyctosauridae. Characters cited in support of this decision include: a notarium, edentulous jaws, and lack of a cranial crest. However, none of these is diagnostic of the Nyctosauridae. Zhejiangopterus exhibits a number of derived characters (orbit relatively small and located in a low position, posteroventrally facing occiput, features of the humerus and 'T-shaped' cross-section of wing phalanges two and three) only otherwise found in azhdarchids, thus we propose that Zhejiangopterus be reassigned to the Azhdarchidae.
Journal description