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Review of taxonomy, geographic distribution, and paleoenvironments of Azhdarchidae (Pterosauria) - PubMed

  • ️Wed Jan 01 2014

Review of taxonomy, geographic distribution, and paleoenvironments of Azhdarchidae (Pterosauria)

Alexander Averianov. Zookeys. 2014.

Abstract

The taxonomy, geographic distribution, and paleoenvironmental context of azhdarchid pterosaurs are reviewed. All purported pteranodontid, tapejarid, and azhdarchid specimens from the Cenomanian Kem Kem beds of Morocco are referred to a single azhdarchid taxon, Alanqa saharica. The four proposed autapomorphies of Eurazhdarcho langendorfensis from the lower Maastrichtian Sebeş Formation of Romania are based on misinterpretations of material and this taxon is likely a subjective junior synonym of Hatzegopteryx thambema. Among 54 currently reported azhdarchid occurrences (51 skeletal remains and 3 tracks) 13% are from lacustrine deposits, 17% from fluvial plain deposits, 17% from coastal plain deposits, 18% from estuarine and lagoonal deposits, and 35% from costal marine deposits. Azhdarchids likely inhabited a variety of environments, but were abundant near large lakes and rivers and most common in nearshore marine paleoenvironments.

Keywords: Azhdarchidae; Cretaceous; Pterosauria; distribution; paleoenvironments; taxonomy.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.

Ontogenetic interpretation of the known jaw fragments of Alanqa saharica (all drawn at the same magnification; specimen numbers are shown on the figure; reversed images are marked by asterisk). A–D rostrum fragments, in lateral and ventral views E, F fragments of mandibular symphysis, in dorsal and lateral views. Figures are modified from Wellnhofer and Buffetaut 1999 (A, D, E), Kellner et al. 2007 (B), Rodrigues et al. 2011 (C), and Ibrahim et al. 2010 (F). The arrow indicates the beginning of the sagittal crest on the cross sections of the rostra. Abbreviations: naof – nasoantorbital fenestra; sc – sagittal crest.

Figure 2.
Figure 2.

Paleogeographic map of the Early Cretaceous (120 Ma) showing Aptian-age localities of azhdarchids. The numbers of localities correspond to the list in the text. The map is modified from

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/rcb7/120moll.jpg
Figure 3.
Figure 3.

Paleogeographic map of the early Late Cretaceous (105 Ma) showing Cenomanian-age localities of azhdarchids. The numbers of localities correspond to the list in the text. The map is modified from

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/rcb7/105moll.jpg
Figure 4.
Figure 4.

Paleogeographic map of the Late Cretaceous (90 Ma) showing Turonian-to-Santonian-age localities of azhdarchids. The numbers of localities correspond to the list in the text. The map is modified from

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/rcb7/90moll.jpg
Figure 5.
Figure 5.

Paleogeographic map of Mongolia for the Santonian showing the Bayshin Tsav (11) and Burkhant (12) azhdarchid localities. a, lakes and lacustrine-alluvial plain; b, alluvial-proluvial plain; c, denudation area. The map was modified from Martinson (1982: fig. 6).

Figure 6.
Figure 6.

Paleogeographic map of the latest Cretaceous (65 Ma) showing Campanian-Maastrichtian-age localities of azhdarchids. The numbers of localities correspond to the list in the text. The map is modified from

http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/rcb7/65moll.jpg
Figure 7.
Figure 7.

Paleogeographic map of middle North America for late Campanian (left) and early Maastrichtian (right) showing localities of azhdarchids. The numbers of localities correspond to the list in the text. The maps are modified from

http://energy.cr.usgs.gov/coal_poster/cretcoals
Figure 8.
Figure 8.

Number of azhdarchid and possible outgroup taxa localities plotted on the paleoenvironments.

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