New information on body size and cranial display structures of Pterodactylus antiquus, with a revision of the genus (original) (raw)

Abstract

Pterodactylus antiquus has long been thought to have been quite small (~50 cm wingspan) and to have differed from P. longicollum, Ctenochasma, Germanodactylus, and Gnathosaurus in lacking a bony cranial crest, though a soft tissue crest and occipital lappet have been described. This article describes a new specimen of P. antiquus larger than all previously known specimens, which demonstrates that the species exceeded 1 m in wingspan and had a low bony cranial crest. A smaller, incipient crest was identified on the holotype specimen. Additional specimens, including the counterpart of Wellnhofer’s original occipital lappet specimen, provide evidence of the occipital lappet and the soft tissue crest extending upward above the naso-antorbital fenestra and orbit. In order to provide a proper taxonomic context for the findings, the recent synonymization of the species Pterodactylus antiquus and P. kochi on the basis of shared correlation of tooth number and skull length despite perceived differences in dentition and skull, neck, and trunk proportions is reviewed. A measurement error that had made it appear that P. antiquus differed significantly from P. kochi in proportions is documented, and after correction of the measurement error and reevaluation of the dental evidence there are no significant differences between the two nominal species. Thus, the synonymization of P. antiquus and P. kochi was appropriate, and a revised diagnosis is presented. In addition, the species P. longicollum and P. micronyx, which for some years have been viewed as not congeneric with P. antiquus, are placed in a new genus and transferred to Aurorazhdarcho, respectively.

Kurzfassung

Für eine lange Zeit Pterodactylus antiquus schien recht klein (~50 cm Spannweite) zu sein, und unterschied es sich von P. longicollum, Ctenochasma, Germanodactylus und Gnathosaurus im Fehlen einer knöchernen Sagitalcrista, obwohl ein Weichteil-Kamm und Hinterhauptslappen beschrieben worden sind. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt ein neues Exemplar von P. antiquus, größer als alle bisher bekannten Exemplare, und zeigt, daß die Arten 1 m Spannweite überschritten und hatte einen geringen knöchernen Sagitalcrista. Eine kleinere, beginnende Sagitalcrista wurde auf der Holotypus identifiziert. Andere Exemplare, darunter die Gegenplatte des ursprünglichen Hinterhauptslappen von Wellnhofer, zeigen Spuren der Hinterhauptslappen und das Weichteil-Kamm nach oben verläuft oberhalb des Nasopraeorbitalöffnung und Orbit. Um eine korrekte taxonomische Kontext für den Erkenntnissen, das Synonymization der Arten Pterodactylus antiquus und P. kochi auf der Grundlage eine gemeinsamer Korrelation von Zahn Anzahl und Schädellänge trotz der Unterschiede in Gebiss und Schädel-Hals-Rumpf Proportionen wird neu bewertet. Ein Messfehler machte es scheinen, daß die Proportionen von P. antiquus signifikant unterschieden sich von denen von P. kochi, und nach der Korrektur des Messfehlers und Neubewertung der Form und Anzahl der Zähne gibt es keine signifikanten Unterschiede zwischen den beiden nominellen Arten. Deshalb war das Synonymization von P. antiquus und P. kochi richtig, und eine neue Diagnose wird vorgestellt. Seit einigen Jahren haben sich die Arten P. longicollum und P. micronyx nicht als artverwandte mit P. antiquus angesehen worden. Deshalb wird P. longicollum in einer neuen Gattung gesetzt, und P. micronyx wird zu Aurorazhdarcho übertragen.

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Acknowledgments

I must thank many: M. Röper of the BMMS, H. Mayr and O. Rauhut of the BSP, J. Leloux of the TM, U. Göhlich of the NHMW, F. Jenkins, Jr. and C. Schaff of the MCZ, G. Viohl and M. Koebl-Ebert of the JME, and R. Wild of the SMNS provided access to specimens under their care and assistance while studying them. O. Hampe of the HM, J.O.R. Ebbestad of the PMU, M. Wilmsen of the SNSD-MMG, J. Šušolová of the Moravian Museum, Brno, Czech Republic, and N. Dolákov of the UB provided information about specimens in, or not in, their collections. H. Tischlinger provided invaluable advice and information, B. Creisler consulted on the Latin, and an anonymous reviewer provided constructive criticism. This research was supported in part by a Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst grant (#A/02/15049) and an FHSU Internationalization grant.

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1. Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS, 67601-4099, USA
   S. Christopher Bennett

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Bennett, S.C. New information on body size and cranial display structures of Pterodactylus antiquus, with a revision of the genus.Paläontol Z 87, 269–289 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-012-0159-8

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• Received: 09 May 2012
• Accepted: 12 November 2012
• Published: 09 December 2012
• Issue Date: June 2013
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12542-012-0159-8

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