Partial mandible of a giant pterosaur from the uppermost Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) of the Hațeg Basin,Romania |
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| Authors: | Mátyás Vremir Gareth Dyke Zoltán Csiki‐Sava Dan Grigorescu Eric Buffetaut |
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| Institution: | 1. Transylvanian Museum Society, Cluj‐Napoca, Romania;2. Department of Paleontology, University of Vienna Geozentrum, Vienna, Austria;3. Department of Evolutionary Zoology and Human Biology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary;4. Department of Geology, Faculty of Geology and Geophysics, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania;5. Laboratoire de Géologie de l'Ecole Normale Supérieure, CNRS (UMR 8538), Paris Cedex 05, 75231, France;6. Palaeontological Research and Education Centre, Maha Sarakham University, Kantarawichai, Maha Sarakham, Thailand |
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| Abstract: | We describe and interpret a posterior mandibular symphysis of a very large azhdarchid pterosaur. The specimen LPB (FGGUB ) R.2347 exhibits a series of morphological characters present in both azhdarchid and tapejarid pterosaurs, suggesting a more basal position within the clade Azhdarchidae. This fossil was collected from Maastrichtian continental deposits near V?lioara in the Ha?eg Basin, Romania, but cannot be confidently referred to the contemporaneous giant Hatzegopteryx thambema, also from V?lioara, due to the absence of overlapping skeletal elements. Remarkably, this mandibular symphysis shares a number of features the smaller azhdarchoid Bakonydraco galaczi from the Santonian of Hungary. Additional comparisons with previously described large‐sized azhdarchid mandibles indicate a certain degree of morphological and probably ecological disparity within the group. This specimen represents the largest pterosaur mandible ever found and provides insights into the anatomy of the enigmatic giant pterosaurs. |
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| Keywords: | Giant azhdarchid Maastrichtian mandible Pterosauria Romania |
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