Thapunngaka
Thapunngaka | |
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Skeletal reconstruction of the Thapunngaka | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Order: | †Pterosauria |
Suborder: | †Pterodactyloidea |
Family: | †Anhangueridae |
Tribe: | † Mythungini
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Genus: | †Thapunngaka Richards et al., 2021 |
Type species | |
Thapunngaka shawi Richards et al., 2021
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Thapunngaka (IPA: [dɑːbuːnŋɑːrgɑːr] meaning "Spear Mouth" in Wanamara) is a genus of anhanguerid pterosaur recovered from the Early Cretaceous marine Toolebuc Formation in Queensland, Australia. Thapunngaka represents the largest pterosaur known from the Australian continent.[1][2][3] The genus currently contains a single species, Thapunngaka shawi.
Discovery and naming
Thapunngaka was initially discovered in June 2011 within the Lower Cretaceous, Upper Albian Toolebuc Formation on Wanamara Country, North West Queensland, Australia by fossicker Mr. Len Shaw. It would later be excavated from the surrounding rock by the Kronosaurus Korner Museum. The genus would later be described in 2021 on the basis of the holotype KKF 494, representing only a partial mandible lacking dentition.[2] Additionally, after the initial description the Kronosaurus Korner museum would later put the holotype of display for the general public.[2]
The
Description
The wingspan of Thapunngaka was estimated by a comparison with related species. It would be between 5.83 to 9.47 meters (19.1 to 31.1 ft), based on an extrapolation from
Classification
In its description, Thapunngaka was assigned within the subfamily Tropeognathinae of the family Anhangueridae, sister taxon to both Ferrodraco and Mythunga. The cladogram below shows a topology published by Richards and colleagues in 2021, which is based on a study by Borja Holgado and Rodrigo Pêgas in 2020:[1][4]
Anhangueridae |
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In 2023, Richards et al. published a revised diagnosis of Thapunngaka where they also erected the clade
Anhangueridae |
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References
- ^ .
- ^ a b c Layt, Stuart (August 9, 2021). "Largest Australian pterosaur ever discovered was a 'bat on steroids'". Brisbane Times. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ "Fossil of New Crested Pterosaur Discovered in Australia". Sci News. August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- .
- . Retrieved 7 October 2023.