Name:
Aetodactylus
(Eagle finger).
Phonetic: Ay-toe-dak-tyl-us.
Named By: Myers - 2010.
Classification: Chordata, Reptilia, Pterosauria,
Pterodactyloidea, Ornithocheiroidea, Ornithocheiridae.
Species: A. halli (type).
Type: Piscivore.
Size: Uncertain due to incomplete fossil material.
Known locations: USA, Texas - Tarrant Formation.
Time period: Cenomanian of the Cretaceous.
Fossil representation: Almost complete mandible
(lower jaw).
Although
currently known from only a lower jaw Aetodactylus
is believed to
represent an ornithocheirid pterosaur,
and as such it is only the
second of its type to have been discovered in North America. The
pointed teeth of Aetodactylus are pointed and
evenly arranged into
pairs, the first of which project forwards. This likely allowed
Aetodactylus to get a better grip of fish. Also the
teeth were larger
at the front of the mouth and steadily decreasing in size towards the
rear. Pits in the lower jaw have been interpreted as housing for the
upper jaw teeth, although they do no run the entire length of the lower
jaw. While it is still unknown if Aetodactylus had
a head crest, it has
been confirmed to not have a lower jaw crest. This makes Aetodactylus
a
little bit different from related pterosaurs such as Ornithocheirus.
The
fact that Aetodactylus represents a toothed
pterosaur from the
Cenomanian is seen as proof that the North American pterosaurs of the
late Cretaceous were not just of the toothless variety like the famous
Pteranodon.
This confirmed diversity amongst North American pterosaurs
has heralded new interest from researchers with some setting out with
the focus for pterosaur remains.
Further reading
- A new ornithocheirid pterosaur from the Upper Cretaceous
(Cenomanian–Turonian) Eagle Ford Group of Texas. - Journal of
Vertebrate Paleontology. 30 (1): 280–287. - Timothy S. Myers - 2010.
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