Chinese and Brazilian paleontologists identify new species of Chaoyangpteri pterosaurs from two specimens, one of which is the most complete and well-preserved Chaoyangpteri pterosaur ever recorded. It was announced that.
This new species of pterosaur lived in what is now China during the Early Cretaceous period, between 125 and 113 million years ago.
Flying reptiles belong to Chamopteraa family of medium-sized and high-crowned pterosaurs known primarily from Asia.
dubbing Meilifeilong Youhaothis species was part of the Jehor biota, a terrestrial and freshwater ecosystem preserved within multilayered rock formations in northeastern China.
“Pterosaurs are an important and enigmatic group of flying reptiles of the Mesozoic Era that were among the first vertebrates to evolve active flight, and have filled every aerial environmental niche for almost 160 million years.” said Dr. Xiaolin Wang of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Academy of Sciences and its colleagues.
“Despite being a completely extinct group, they acquired a wide variety of morphologies during the period from the Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous.”
“Despite being found on every continent, China stands out by providing several new specimens that reveal not only different species, but also entire new clades, such as the azhdarchoid Chrysoptera.”
“This Cretaceous group of medium-sized and high-crowned pterosaurs is particularly well known from the Jehol biota. Chaoyangopterus zangi and Shenjoupterus chaoyangensis (At the time of description, the posterior region of the skull of Chaoyanptidae was the only one preserved, revealing that these toothless pterosaurs formed a new clade).
holotype of Meilifeilong Youhao; arrow indicates preserved soft tissue.Image credit: Wang other., doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-48076-7.
Two fossilized bodies Meilifeilong Youhao It was discovered in the Jiufutang Formation in Wuludao City, Liaoning Province, China.
“This holotype is particularly well preserved and represents an individual with a wingspan of up to approximately 2.16 meters (7.1 feet),” the paleontologists said.
“It consists of essentially all bones except for most of the tail, making it the most complete and well-preserved Chaoyanputid skeleton ever discovered.”
“The specimen mentioned consists only of the premaxilla and maxilla and anterior part of the palate and represents a smaller individual.”
size Meilifeilong Youhao basically the same as Meilifeiron Sanyainus (with a wingspan of 2.18 meters, or 7.2 feet), which, along with other characteristics, suggests that they represent different species of the same genus.
“This new species provides some new information about these rather enigmatic flying reptiles. palatal area” said the researchers.
“Additionally, it shows a stapes preserved in place, a rare phenomenon among pterosaurs.”
team’s paper Published in the Journal on December 21, 2023 scientific report.
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X-One other. 2023. A new toothless pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous Jehol biota. With comments on Chaoyoptera. science officer 13, 22642; doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-48076-7
Source: www.sci.news
