Dendrorhynchoides
Dendrorhynchoides | |
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Holotype of D. curvidentatus, Geological Museum of China | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Order: | †Pterosauria |
Family: | †Anurognathidae |
Genus: | †Dendrorhynchoides Ji, Ji & Padian, 1999 |
Species: | †D. curvidentatus
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Binomial name | |
†Dendrorhynchoides curvidentatus (Ji & Ji, 1998)
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Synonyms | |
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Dendrorhynchoides was a
The genus was first named
Discovery and naming
The genus is based on
In 2010 a second specimen, of a juvenile, was announced, that proved that a more elongated tail was present after all, albeit not so long as the faked tail of the holotype: about 85% of femur length.[6] This specimen eventually was designated as the holotype of a new species, Dendrorhynchoides mutoudengensis, by Hone and Lü in 2012.[3] The specimen was originally stored in the Guilin Geological Museum and designated GLGMV 0002; later it was moved to the Jinzhou Paleontological Museum and designated JZMP-04-07-3.[3] In 2020, Hone recognized that D. mutoudengensis was as distinct from D. curvidentatus as other species of anurognathids were from each other, and elevated it to a new genus and combination Luopterus mutoudengensis, named after the late Lü.[4]
Description
Dendrorhynchoides had a wingspan of about forty centimetres, making it one of the smallest known pterosaurs. Of the type specimen, most parts of the skull have become detached so that its shape is difficult to determine, but it was generally short and broad. Eleven teeth have been preserved scattered throughout the matrix, that are recurved with a broader base and have a length of three millimetres. The authors identified lower jaws with a preserved length of fifteen millimetres. The cervical vertebrae are short and broad. Six dorsal vertebrae have been preserved, nine ribs and six belly ribs at the left side. The tail has a preserved length of five centimetres, but part of this is accounted for by a section that might have been added to enhance the value of the fossil. The tail vertebrae at the base, the authenticity of which is certain, are short.[1]
The wings are relatively short. The humerus is robustly built but elongated with a length of 27 millimetres. The ulna is 35.5 millimetres long. The metacarpals are short with seven millimetres length for the first three, 9.3 millimetres for the fourth wing-bearing metacarpal. The first three fingers are well developed with the first having an elongated first phalanx. They bear short but sharp claws. The first phalanx of the fourth, wing, finger has a length of 44.5, the second of 35.6 millimetres. The size of the third cannot be established because of damage. A short and slender pteroid, 5.9 millimetres long, points towards the elbow. The tibia has a length of 26.7 millimetres and is about a third longer than the femur. The fibula is reduced, reaching about half-way downwards along the tibia shaft. The foot is long with the metatarsals having a length of 12.1 millimetres. The fifth toe is elongated.[1]
Classification
Because of the presumed long tail, the authors rejected a placement within the Anurognathidae and classified it instead as a long-tailed rhamphorhynchid, mainly in view of the general long bone proportions.[1] It was in 2000 identified as an anurognathid, and it was confirmed that the fossil had been doctored prior to its description.[7]
A
Anurognathidae |
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Palaeobiology
The describers postulated a tree-dwelling lifestyle for Dendrorhynchoides as an insectivore. With very large eye sockets and a rounded head, Dendrorhynchoides would have had great eyesight. They could use these features to quickly spot insects and be able to follow their motion while following behind them. With their smaller wingspan and skeletal body, along with very flexible joints, these traits gave them great movability to catch the small insects and prey they were chasing. Its large eyes that were forward facing and the small claws on its appendages had researchers assuming that the species would match closely to tree bark or dark night colors to blend in with its surroundings and ambush insects for nocturnal hunting, just like what is seem with modern-day nightjars or bats.[2]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Ji, S.-A.; Ji, Q. (1998). "A new fossil pterosaur (Rhamphorhynchoidea) from Liaoning, Dendrorhynchus curvidentatus, gen. et sp. nov". Jiangsu Geology. 22 (4): 199–206.
- ^ S2CID 4316586.
- ^ S2CID 140741278.
- ^ S2CID 225169094.
- doi:10.1002/gj.1045.
- ^ Hone, D.W.E.; Lü, J. (2010). "A New Specimen of Dendrorhynchoides (Pterosauria: Anurognathidae) with a Long Tail and the Evolution of the Pterosaurian Tail". Acta Geoscientica Sinica. 31 (Supp. 1): 29–30.
- .
- PMID 19656798.
- CiteSeerX 10.1.1.694.4816.
- PMID 33850665.