| Basic info | Taxonomic history | Classification | Included Taxa |
| Morphology | Ecology and taphonomy | External Literature Search | Age range and collections |
Protazhdarchidae
Taxonomy
Protazhdarchidae was named by Frey et al. (2011).
It was assigned to Azhdarchoidea by Frey et al. (2011).
It was assigned to Azhdarchoidea by Frey et al. (2011).
Subtaxa
Synonymy list
| Year | Name and author |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Protazhdarchidae Frey et al. p. S40 |
Is something missing? Join the Paleobiology Database and enter the data
|
|
If no rank is listed, the taxon is considered an unranked clade in modern classifications. Ranks may be repeated or presented in the wrong order because authors working on different parts of the classification may disagree about how to rank taxa.
Fm. †Protazhdarchidae Frey et al. 2011
show all | hide all
Diagnosis
| Reference | Diagnosis | |
|---|---|---|
| E. Frey et al. 2011 | Pterosaur of azhdarchoid flight configuration, but differs from all members of the Azhdarchidae in the following features:
1. Wing finger metacarpal as long as the radius as ulna (Table 1; Fig. 6; longer in the Azhdarchidae); 2. Wing finger phalanges III and IV together longer than wing finger phalanx II (Table 1; Fig. 6; shorter in the Azhdarchidae); 3. Palmar aspect of the two distal wing finger phalanges convex (concave in the Azhdarchidae); 4. Lateral crests dorsal and ventral to the glenoid fossa missing (Fig. 5; prominent in the Azhdarchidae); 5. No pneumatic foramen perforating the ventral face of the humeral neck; 6. All thoracic ribs articulated with their vertebrae (at least three cranial-most thoracic ribs fused to their vertebrae in adult Azhdarchidae). Because these features are different from the known configuration in Azhdarchidae, we propose to erect a new family, the Protazhdarchidae, because most of the diagnostic features of Aurorazhdarcho reflect an early state of evolution within the azhdarchoid construction. The reasons for this approach are discussed below. |