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New postcranial elements of the T halassodrominae ( P terodactyloidea, T apejaridae) from the R omualdo F ormation ( A ptian– A lbian), S antana G roup, A raripe B asin, B razil
Author(s) -
Aires Alex S. S.,
Kellner Alexander W. A.,
Müller Rodrigo T.,
Da Silva Lúcio R.,
Pacheco Cristian P.,
DiasDaSilva Sérgio
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
palaeontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.69
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1475-4983
pISSN - 0031-0239
DOI - 10.1111/pala.12069
Subject(s) - postcrania , anatomy , context (archaeology) , biology , paleontology , taxon
Tapejarids are edentate pterosaurs recovered mainly from E arly C retaceous deposits. They are diagnosed by five synapomorphies, among which only one is postcranial: a broad and well‐developed tubercle at the ventroposterior margin of the coracoid. Regarding the clade T halassodrominae, most phylogenetic studies are based on cranial elements, as postcranial skeletons of these pterosaurs are rare. Here, new postcranial material from the R omualdo F ormation ( A ptian– A lbian) from the A raripe B asin is described. The material comprises the three posteriormost cervical vertebrae, the first seven dorsal vertebrae (fused into a notarium), both scapulocoracoids, a fragment of a sternum, a partial right humerus, a small fragment of a 4th phalanx of the wing finger, a distal extremity of the right femur and the proximal portions of both tibia and fibula. Comparisons with other specimens and morphological features examined in a phylogenetic context, such as the presence of three foramina lateral and dorsal to the neural canal of the cervical vertebrae, the presence of a notarium and a pneumatic foramen on the ventral side of the proximal portion of the humerus, allow the assignment of this specimen as Thalassodrominae indet. Regarding palaeobiogeographical aspects, to date, this clade is exclusively found in the R omualdo F ormation. It is the most complete postcranial material assigned to the T halassodrominae described so far.