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Pterosauria (pterosaur)

Reptilia - Pterosauria

Taxonomy
Pterosauria was named by Kaup (1834). It was considered monophyletic by Nesbitt (2011) and Martínez et al. (2022).

It was synonymized subjectively with Ornithosaurii by Bonaparte (1850); it was synonymized subjectively with Ornithosauria by Cope (1871); it was reranked as the family Pterosauria by Günther (1886); it was reranked as the subclass Pterosauria by Gadow (1898) and Perrier (1928); it was corrected as Pterosauri by Hay (1902), Jaekel (1910), Jaekel (1911) and Hay (1930); it was reranked as the unranked clade Pterosauria by Gardiner (1982), Sereno (1991), Nesbitt (2011) and O'Sullivan and Martill (2018); it was reranked as the superorder Pterosauria by Olshevsky (1991).

It was assigned to Sauria by Owen (1859); to Rhamphosauria by Haeckel (1866); to Ornithosauria by Günther (1886); to Diapsida by Osborn (1903), Osborn (1903) and Osborn (1904); to Hyperosauria by Jaekel (1910) and Jaekel (1911); to Loricata by Hay (1930); to Archosauromorpha by Huene (1954); to Archosauria by Kuhn (1966); to Archosauria by Kuhn (1964), Charig (1967), Haubold (1971), Bakker and Galton (1974), Haubold (1974) and Thulborn (1975); to Aves by Gardiner (1982); to Archosauromorpha by Benton (1985); to Dinosauria by Bakker (1986); to Reptilia by Mantell (1854), Owen (1860), Owen (1861), Zittel (1890), Gadow (1898), Hay (1902), Perrier (1928), Swinton (1934), Kuhn (1946), Estes (1964) and Gasparini et al. (1987); to Ornithosuchia by Gauthier et al. (1989); to Archosauria by Olshevsky (1991); to Ornithodira by Gauthier (1986), Benton (1990), Sereno and Arcucci (1990), Sereno (1991) and Novas (1996); to Archosauria by Roxo (1937), Carroll (1988) and Delsate and Wild (2000); to Archosauria by O'Sullivan and Martill (2018) and Martínez et al. (2022); and to Pterosauromorpha by Nesbitt (2011) and Müller et al. (2023).

Subtaxa
Aidacharidae, Anmolpakhi, Antipus, Archaeopteryx vicensensis, Arcticodactylus, Austriadactylus, Austriadraco, Austriadraconidae, Campylognathoides indicus, Campylognathoididae, Carniadactylus, Caviramus, Daohugoupterus, Eopterosauria, Eurolimnornis, Eurolimnornis corneti, Laopteryx, Laopteryx priscus, Macronychoptera, Ornithocephaliformes, Ornithocheirus hilsensis, Ornithocheirus nobilis, Ornithochirus, Palaeocursornis (syn. Palaeolimnornis, Eurolimnornis, Limnornis), Preondactylus, Ptenodactylus, Ptenodactylus brachyrhinus, Ptenodactylus capito, Ptenodactylus crassidens, Ptenodactylus dentatus, Ptenodactylus enchorhynchus, Ptenodactylus eurygnathus, Ptenodactylus macrorhinus, Ptenodactylus oxyrhinus, Ptenodactylus platystomus, Ptenodactylus polyodon, Ptenodactylus scaphorhynchus, Ptenodactylus tenuirostris, Pteraichnidae, Pteranodontes, Pterodactyli, Pterodactyloidea, Pterodactylus curtus, Pterodactylus hopkinsi, Pterodactylus huxleyi, Pterodactylus oweni, Pterodactylus primus, Pterodactylus suprajurensis, Rhamphorhynchoidea, Rhamphorhynchus jessoni, Rhamphorhynchus manselii, Rhamphorhynchus pleydellii, Samrukia, Scaphognathoidea, Seazzadactylus, Sharivopterygia, Tribelesodontoidea, Wukongopteridae
Sister taxa
Sharivopterygia

Synonyms
Synonymy list
YearName and author
1834Pterosauria Kaup
1838Ornithosauria Bonaparte
1843Ornithosauri Fitzinger p. 35
1850Ornithosaurii Bonaparte p. 1
1854Pterosauria Mantell p. 646
1859Pterodactylus primus Deffner and Fraas
1859Pterosauria Owen p. 151
1860Pterosauria Owen p. 244
1861Pterosauria Owen p. 270
1864Pterodactylus hopkinsi Seeley
1864Pterodactylus oweni Seeley
1865Pterodactylus huxleyi Seeley
1866Pterosauria Haeckel p. CXXXVIII
1869Ptenodactylus brachyrhinus Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus capito Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus crassidens Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus dentatus Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus enchorhynchus Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus eurygnathus Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus macrorhinus Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus oweni Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus oxyrhinus Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus platystomus Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus polyodon Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus scaphorhynchus Seeley
1869Ptenodactylus tenuirostris Seeley
1870Pterodactylus curtus Owen
1870Pterodactylus nobilis Owen
1871Ornithosauria Cope p. 234
1873Pterodactylus suprajurensis Sauvage
1874Pterodactylus manselii Owen
1874Pterodactylus pleydellii Owen
1875Ornithosauria Cope p. 12
1881Laopteryx priscus Marsh
1883Ornithocheirus hilsensis Koken p. 824
1886Ornithosauria Günther p. 443
1886Pterosauria Günther p. 444
1887Ornithosauria Baur p. 101
1888Ornithocheirus curtus Lydekker
1888Ornithocheirus nobilis Lydekker
1889Ornithocheirus nobilis Newton p. 260
1890Rhamphorhynchus jessoni Lydekker
1890Pterosauria Zittel pp. 450, 773–775
1890Pterodactylus manseli Zittel p. 793
1890Pterodactylus pleydelli Zittel p. 793
1890Pterodactylus primus Zittel p. 793
1891Rhamphorhynchus manselii Lydekker
1891Rhamphorhynchus pleydellii Lydekker
1891Rhamphorhynchus suprajurensis Lydekker
1897Laopteryx priscus Marsh p. 508
1898Pterosauria Gadow p. 23
1898Ornithosauria Woodward p. 141
1900Rhamphorhynchus suprajurensis Sauvage p. 416
1900Laopteryx priscus Van Den Broeck p. 72
1900Ornithocheirus curtus Van Den Broeck p. 106
1900Ornithocheirus nobilis Van Den Broeck p. 106
1902Pterosauri Hay p. 506
1902Laopteryx priscus Hay p. 518
1903Pterosauria Osborn p. 276
1904Pterosauria Osborn p. 114
1910Pterosauri Jaekel p. 338
1911Pterosauri Jaekel p. 165
1916Laopteryx priscus Mook p. 134
1928Pterosauria Perrier p. 3118
1930Pterosauri Hay p. 159
1930Laopteryx priscus Hay p. 277
1933Archaeopteryx vicensensis Lambrecht
1933Laopteryx priscus Lambrecht p. 96
1934Pterosauria Swinton p. 20
1937Pterosauria Roxo p. 44
1946Pterosauria Kuhn p. 66
1954Pterosauria Huene p. 55
1956Laopteryx priscus Wetmore p. 104
1958Pterodactylus manseli Delair p. 70
1958Pterodactylus pleydelli Delair p. 70
1958Pterodactylus suprajurensis Delair p. 70
1964Pterosauria Estes p. 145
1964Pterosauria Kuhn p. 312
1966Pterosauria Kuhn p. 107
1967Pterosauria Charig p. 717
1971Laopteryx prisca Brodkorb p. 29
1971Pterosauria Haubold p. 89
1974Pterosauria Bakker and Galton p. 171
1974Pterosauria Haubold p. 49
1974Campylognathoides indicus Jain
1975Pterosauria Thulborn p. 267
1978Laopteryx priscus Brodkorb p. 224
1981Laopteryx priscus Galton p. 1120
1982Pterosauria Gardiner p. 229
1984Limnornis corneti Kessler and Jurcsák p. 397
1985Pterosauria Benton p. 154
1985Palaeolimnornis corneti Jurcsák and Kessler p. 138
1986Pterosauria Bakker pp. 459-460
1986Pterosauria Gauthier
1986Eurolimnornis Kessler and Jurcsák p. 289
1987Pterosauria Gasparini et al. p. 141
1987Eurolimnornis corneti Kessler p. 129
1988Pterosauria Carroll
1989Pterosauria Gauthier et al. p. 346
1990Pterosauria Benton p. 13
1990Pterosauria Sereno and Arcucci p. 39 fig. 7
1991Pterosauria Olshevsky p. 59
1991Pterosauria Sereno p. 34
1996Palaeocursornis corneti Bock and Bühler p. 512
1996Eurolimnornis Bock and Bühler p. 513
1996Pterosauria Novas p. 737 fig. 10
2000Pterosauria Delsate and Wild p. 7
2002Eurolimnornis Hope p. 352
2006Laopteryx priscus Chure et al. p. 236
2011Pterosauria Nesbitt fig. 52
2018Pterosauria O'Sullivan and Martill
2022Pterosauria Martínez et al.
2023Pterosauria Müller et al.

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RankNameAuthor
kingdomAnimalia()
—Bilateria
—EubilateriaAx 1987
—Deuterostomia
phylumChordataHaeckel 1874
subphylumVertebrata
superclassGnathostomata
—Osteichthyes()
subclassSarcopterygii()
subclassDipnotetrapodomorpha(Nelson 2006)
subclassTetrapodomorpha()
—Tetrapoda
—Reptiliomorpha
—Anthracosauria
subclassAmphibiosauriaKuhn 1967
—Cotylosauria()
RankNameAuthor
—Amniota
—Sauropsida
classReptilia
subclassEureptilia()
—Romeriida
—Diapsida()
—Archosauromorpha(Huene 1946)
—Crocopoda
—ArchosauriformesGauthier 1986
—Eucrocopoda
—Archosauria()
informalAvemetatarsalia
—Ornithodira
—PterosauromorphaPadian 1997
orderPterosauriaKaup 1834
orderPterosauriaKaup 1834

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.

Or. †Pterosauria Kaup 1834 [pterosaur]
show all | hide all
G. †Anmolpakhi Malkani 2019
+
†Anmolpakhi alleni Malkani 2019
G. †Antipus Hitchcock 1858
+
†Antipus bifidus Hitchcock 1858
G. †Arcticodactylus Kellner 2015
+
†Arcticodactylus cromptonellus Jenkins et al. 2001
G. †Austriadactylus Dalla Vecchia et al. 2002
+
†Austriadactylus cristatus Dalla Vecchia et al. 2002
G. †Austriadraco Kellner 2015
+
+
G. †Bergamodactylus Kellner 2015
+
†Bergamodactylus wildi Kellner 2015
G. †Campylognathoides Strand 1928
+
†Campylognathoides liasicus Quendtedt 1858
†Campylognathoides zitteli Plieninger 1894
G. †Eudimorphodon Zambelli 1973
+
†Eudimorphodon ranzii Zambelli 1973
†Eudimorphodon rosenfeldi Dalla Vecchia 1995
G. †Raeticodactylus Stecher 2008
+
G. †Carniadactylus Dalla Vecchia 2009
G. †Caviramus Fröbisch and Fröbisch 2006
+
†Caviramus schesaplanensis Fröbisch and Fröbisch 2006
G. †Daohugoupterus Cheng et al. 2015
+
†Daohugoupterus delicatus Cheng et al. 2015
Unr. †Eopterosauria Andres et al. 2014
+
Unr. †Raeticodactylidae Andres et al. 2014
+
G. †Pachagnathus Martínez et al. 2022
+
†Pachagnathus benitoi Martínez et al. 2022
G. †Yelaphomte Martínez et al. 2022
+
†Yelaphomte praderioi Martínez et al. 2022
G. †Laopteryx Marsh 1881
Unr. †Macronychoptera Unwin 2003
+
Fm. †Dimorphodontidae Seeley 1870
+
G. †Caelestiventus Britt et al. 2018
+
†Caelestiventus hanseni Britt et al. 2018
G. †Dimorphodon Owen 1859
+
†Dimorphodon banthensis Theodori 1831
†Dimorphodon macronyx Buckland 1829
+
Invalid names: Pterodactylus marderi Owen 1874 [synonym]
†Dimorphodon weintraubi Clark et al. 1998
G. †Peteinosaurus Wild 1978
+
Unr. †Novialoidea Kellner 2003
+
Unr. †Breviquartossa Unwin 2003
+
G. †Allkaruen Codorniú et al. 2016
+
†Allkaruen koi Codorniú et al. 2016
Fm. †Rhamphorhynchidae Seeley 1870
+
G. †Bellubrunnus Hone et al. 2012
G. †Campylognathus Plieninger 1894
G. †Dendrorhynchus Ji and Ji 1998
G. †Klobiodon O'Sullivan and Martill 2018
G. †Odontorhynchus Stolley 1936
Subfm. †Rhamphorhynchinae Nopcsa 1928
Subfm. †Scaphognathinae Hooley
Invalid names: Angustinaripterinae He et al. 1983 [empty]
Unr. †Lonchognatha Unwin 2003
+
G. †Harpactognathus Carpenter et al. 2003
+
†Harpactognathus gentryii Carpenter et al. 2003
Unr. †Monofenestrata Lü et al. 2010
+
Unr. †Caelidracones Unwin 2003
G. †Changchengopterus Lü 2009
G. †Cuspicephalus Martill and Etches 2013
G. †Darwinopterus Lü et al. 2010
G. †Douzhanopterus Wang et al. 2017
G. †Melkamter Fernandes et al. 2024
G. †Pterodactylus Cuvier 1809
+
Invalid names: Diopecephalus Seeley 1871 [synonym], Macrotrachelus Giebel 1852 [synonym], Pterotherium Fischer 1813 [synonym]
G. †Wukongopterus Wang et al. 2009
G. †Parapsicephalus Arthaber 1919
+
†Parapsicephalus purdoni Newton 1888
Subor. †Ornithocephaliformes Hay 1930
+
Fm. †Ornithocephalidae Hay 1902
+
Subfm. †Ornithocephalinae Hay 1930
+
G. †Dermodactylus Marsh 1881
G. †Ornithocephalus Soemmerring 1812
G. †Ornithochirus Cope 1872
+
G. †Palaeocursornis Kessler and Jurcsák 1986
+
Invalid names: Eurolimnornis Kessler 1987 [replaced], Limnornis Kessler and Jurcsák 1984 [replaced], Palaeocursornis biharicus Kessler and Jurcsák 1986 [nomen dubium], Palaeolimnornis Jurcsák and Kessler 1985 [replaced]
G. †Preondactylus Wild 1984
+
Fm. †Pteraichnidae Lockley et al. 1995
+
G. †Pteraichnus Stokes 1957
+
†Pteraichnus dongyangensis Chen et al. 2013
†Pteraichnus koreanensis Lee et al. 2008
†Pteraichnus longipodus Fuentes Vidarte et al. 2004
†Pteraichnus nipponensis Lee et al. 2010
†Pteraichnus parvus Meijide Calvo 2001
†Pteraichnus stokesi Lockley et al. 1995
†Pteraichnus yanguoxiaensis Peng et al. 2004
Invalid names: Pteraichnus cidacoi Fuentes Vidarte 2001 [nomen dubium], Pteraichnus manueli Meijide Calvo 2001 [nomen dubium], Pteraichnus palacieisaenzi Pascual Arribas and Sanz Pérez 2000 [nomen dubium], Pteraichnus vetustior Meijide Fuentes 2001 [nomen dubium]
G. †Purbeckopus Delair 1963
+
Subor. †Pterodactyloidea Plieninger 1901
+
Fm. †Agadirichnidae Masrour et al. 2018
+
G. †Agadirichnus Ambroggi and Lapparent 1954
+
†Agadirichnus elegans Ambroggi and Lapparent 1954
Superfm. †Archaeopterodactyloidea Kellner 1996
+
Unr. †Boreopteridae Lü et al. 2006
+
G. †Boreopterus Lü and Ji 2005
+
†Boreopterus cuiae Lü and Ji 2005
†Boreopterus giganticus Jiang et al. 2014
Subfm. †Moganopterinae Lü et al. 2012
+
G. †Moganopterus Lü et al. 2012
G. †Zhenyuanopterus Lü 2010
+
Invalid names: Boreopterinae Lü et al. 2012 [empty]
G. †Ardeadactylus Bennett 2013
+
+
Invalid names: Pterodactylus vulturinus Wagner 1858 [synonym]
Fm. †Aurorazhdarchidae Vidovic and Martill 2014
+
G. †Aerodactylus Vidovic and Martill 2014
Superfm. †Azhdarchoidea Unwin 1992
+
Fm. †Azhdarchidae Nessov 1984
+
G. †Aerotitan Novas et al. 2012
+
†Aerotitan sudamericanus Novas et al. 2012
G. †Alanqa Ibrahim et al. 2010
+
†Alanqa saharica Ibrahim et al. 2010
G. †Albadraco Solomon et al. 2020
+
†Albadraco tharmisensis Solomon et al. 2020
G. †Aralazhdarcho Averianov 2007
+
†Aralazhdarcho bostobensis Averianov 2007
G. †Arambourgiania Nessov et al. 1987
+
†Arambourgiania philadelphiae Arambourg 1959
G. †Azhdarcho Nessov 1981
+
†Azhdarcho lancicollis Nessov 1984
+
Invalid names: Azhdarcho imparidens Nessov 1981 [replaced]
G. †Bakonydraco Osi et al. 2005
+
†Bakonydraco galaczi Osi et al. 2005
G. †Bennettazhia Nessov 1991
+
†Bennettazhia oregonensis Gilmore 1928
G. †Bogolubovia Nessov and Yarkov 1989
+
†Bogolubovia orientalis Bogoliubow 1914
G. †Chaoyangopterus Wang and Zhou 2003
+
†Chaoyangopterus zhangi Wang and Zhou 2003
G. †Cryodrakon Hone et al. 2019
+
†Cryodrakon boreas Hone et al. 2019
G. †Doratorhynchus Seeley 1875
G. †Eoazhdarcho Lü and Ji 2005
+
†Eoazhdarcho liaoxiensis Lü and Ji 2005
G. †Eurazhdarcho Vremir et al. 2013
+
†Eurazhdarcho langendorfensis Vremir et al. 2013
G. †Hatzegopteryx Buffetaut et al. 2002
+
†Hatzegopteryx thambema Buffetaut et al. 2002
G. †Mistralazhdarcho Vullo et al. 2018
+
†Mistralazhdarcho maggii Vullo et al. 2018
G. †Montanazhdarcho Padian et al. 1995
+
†Montanazhdarcho minor Padian et al. 1995
G. †Navajodactylus Sullivan and Fowler 2011
+
†Navajodactylus boerei Sullivan and Fowler 2011
G. †Phosphatodraco Pereda Suberbiola et al. 2003
+
†Phosphatodraco mauritanicus Pereda Suberbiola et al. 2003
Subfm. †Quetzalcoatlinae Andres et al. 2014
+
G. †Quetzalcoatlus Lawson 1975
G. †Thanatosdrakon Ortiz David et al. 2022
G. †Wellnhopterus Andres and Langston Jr 2021
G. †Titanopteryx Arambourg 1959
G. †Zhejiangopterus Cai and Wei 1994
+
†Zhejiangopterus linhaiensis Cai and Wei 1994
G. †Cretornis Fritsch 1881
+
†Cretornis hlavaci Fritsch 1881
Fm. †Dsungaripteridae Young 1964
+
G. †Banguela Headden and Campos 2014
+
†Banguela oberlii Headden and Campos 2014
G. †Domeykodactylus Martill et al. 2000
+
†Domeykodactylus ceciliae Martill et al. 2000
G. †Dsungaripterus Young 1964
+
†Dsungaripterus weii Young 1964
G. †Lonchognathosaurus Maisch et al. 2004
+
†Lonchognathosaurus acutirostris Maisch et al. 2004
G. †Noripterus Young 1973
+
†Noripterus parvus Bakhurina 1982
Invalid names: Phobetor Bakhurina 1986 [synonym]
G. †Eopteranodon Lü and Zhang 2005
+
†Eopteranodon lii Lü and Zhang 2005
G. †Europejara Vullo et al. 2012
+
†Europejara olcadesorum Vullo et al. 2012
G. †Leptostomia Smith et al. 2020
+
†Leptostomia begaaensis Smith et al. 2020
G. †Microtuban Elgin and Frey 2011
+
†Microtuban altivolans Elgin and Frey 2011
G. †Nemicolopterus Wang et al. 2008 [forest dweller wing]
+
†Nemicolopterus crypticus Wang et al. 2008
Unr. †Neoazhdarchia Unwin 2003
+
Fm. †Chaoyangopteridae Lü et al. 2008
+
G. †Apatorhamphus McPhee et al. 2020
G. †Lacusovagus Witton 2008
G. †Shenzhoupterus Lü et al. 2008
G. †Radiodactylus Andres and Myers 2013
+
†Radiodactylus langstoni Andres and Myers 2013
Superfm. †Tapejaroidea Kellner 1989
+
Fm. †Tapejaridae Kellner 1989
Fm. †Thalassodromidae Kellner and Campos 2007
G. †Xericeps Martill et al. 2018
+
†Xericeps curvirostris Martill et al. 2018
G. †Ornithostoma Seeley 1871
+
†Ornithostoma sedgwicki Seeley 1871
+
Invalid names: Ornithostoma seeleyi Lydekker 1904 [synonym]
Fm. †Protazhdarchidae Frey et al. 2011
+
G. †Aurorazhdarcho Frey et al. 2011
+
†Aurorazhdarcho primordius Frey et al. 2011
Unr. †Tapejaromorpha Andres et al. 2014
+
G. †Keresdrakon Kellner et al. 2019
+
†Keresdrakon vilsoni Kellner et al. 2019
G. †Vectidraco Naish et al. 2013
+
†Vectidraco daisymorrisae Naish et al. 2013
Invalid names: Palaeornis cliftii Mantell 1844 [nomen dubium]
Superfm. †Dsungaripteroidea Young 1964
+
G. †Puntanipterus Bonaparte and Sánchez 1975
Invalid names: Germanodactylidae Young 1964 [invalid subgroup], Nyctosauridae Hay 1902 [empty]
G. †Haenamichnus Hwang et al. 2002
+
†Haenamichnus uhangriensis Hwang et al. 2002
G. †Herbstosaurus Casamiquela 1975 [Herbst lizard]
+
†Herbstosaurus pigmaeus Casamiquela 1975
G. †Kryptodrakon Andres et al. 2014
+
†Kryptodrakon progenitor Andres et al. 2014
Fm. †Lonchodraconidae Rodrigues and Kellner 2013
+
G. †Lonchodraco Rodrigues and Kellner 2013
+
†Lonchodraco giganteus Bowerbank 1846
†Lonchodraco microdon Seeley 1869
Unr. †Lophocratia Unwin 2003
+
G. †Beipiaopterus Lü 2003
+
G. †Ctenochasma Meyer 1851
+
†Ctenochasma elegans Wagner 1861
+
Invalid names: Ctenochasma gracile Oppel 1862 [synonym], Pterodactylus pulchellus Meyer 1859 [synonym]
†Ctenochasma porocristata de Buisonje 1981
†Ctenochasma roemeri Meyer 1851
†Ctenochasma taqueti Bennett 2007
Superfm. †Ctenochasmatoidea Unwin 1995
+
Unr. †Euctenochasmatia Unwin 2003
+
Fm. †Ctenochasmatidae Nopcsa 1928 [ctenochasmatid]
+
Invalid names: Pterodaustridae Bonaparte 1971 [synonym]
Fm. †Gallodactylidae Fabre 1974
+
G. †Gladocephaloideus Lü et al. 2012
G. †Petrodactyle Hone et al. 2023
Fm. †Lonchodectidae Hooley 1914
+
G. †Serradraco Rigal et al. 2017
G. †Yixianopterus Lü et al. 2006
G. †Unwindia Martill 2011
+
†Unwindia trigonus Martill 2011
Invalid names: Pterodactylidae Bonaparte 1838 [invalid subgroup]
G. †Cycnorhamphus Seeley 1870
+
†Cycnorhamphus suevicus Quenstadt 1855
+
Invalid names: Pterodactylus eurychirus Wagner 1858 [synonym]
G. †Elanodactylus Andres and Ji 2008
+
†Elanodactylus prolatus Andres and Ji 2008
G. †Eosipterus Ji and Ji 1997
+
†Eosipterus yangi Ji and Ji 1997
G. †Feilongus Wang et al. 2005
+
†Feilongus youngi Wang et al. 2005
G. †Gallodactylus Fabre 1976
+
G. †Gegepterus Wang et al. 2007
+
†Gegepterus changi Wang et al. 2007
G. †Germanodactylus Young 1964
+
G. †Gnathosaurus Meyer 1833
+
†Gnathosaurus macrurus Seeley 1869
†Gnathosaurus subulatus Meyer 1833
G. †Huanhepterus Dong 1982
+
G. †Kepodactylus Harris and Carpenter 1996
+
†Kepodactylus insperatus Harris and Carpenter 1996
G. †Normannognathus Buffetaut et al. 1998
+
†Normannognathus wellnhoferi Buffetaut et al. 1998
G. †Plataleorhynchus Howse and Milner 1995
+
†Plataleorhynchus streptophorodon Howse and Milner 1995
G. †Pterodaustro Bonaparte 1970
+
†Pterodaustro guinazui Bonaparte 1970
+
Invalid names: Puntanipterus globosus Bonaparte and Sánchez 1975 [synonym]
G. †Mesadactylus Jensen and Padian 1989
+
†Mesadactylus ornithosphyos Jensen and Padian 1989
G. †Ningchengopterus Lü 2009
+
G. †Nyctosaurus Marsh 1876
+
†Nyctosaurus bonneri Miller 1971
†Nyctosaurus gracilis Marsh 1876
†Nyctosaurus lamegoi Price 1953
†Nyctosaurus nanus Marsh 1881
Invalid names: Nyctodactylus Marsh 1881 [synonym]
Fm. †Ornithocheiridae Seeley 1870
+
G. †Aetodactylus Myers 2010
+
†Aetodactylus halli Myers 2010
G. †Araripesaurus Price 1971
G. †Arthurdactylus Frey and Martill 1994
+
†Arthurdactylus conandoylei Frey and Martill 1994
G. †Barbosania Elgin and Frey 2011
+
†Barbosania gracilirostris Elgin and Frey 2011
G. †Caulkicephalus Steel et al. 2005
+
†Caulkicephalus trimicrodon Steel et al. 2005
Invalid names: Criorhynchidae Hooley 1914 [synonym], Ornithocheirinae Williston 1897 [empty], Pteranodontinae Williston 1892 [empty]
Unr. †Pteranodontia Marsh 1876
+
G. †Alamodactylus Andres and Myers 2013
+
†Alamodactylus byrdi Andres and Myers 2013
Unr. †Aponyctosauria Fernandes et al. 2022
+
G. †Alcione Longrich et al. 2018
+
†Alcione elainus Longrich et al. 2018
G. †Epapatelo Fernandes et al. 2022
+
†Epapatelo otyikokolo Fernandes et al. 2022
Unr. †Nyctosauridae Hay 1902
+
G. †Barbaridactylus Longrich et al. 2018
G. †Muzquizopteryx Frey et al. 2006
G. †Simurghia Longrich et al. 2018
+
†Simurghia robusta Longrich et al. 2018
Superfm. †Ornithocheiroidea Seeley 1870
+
G. †Anhanguera Campos and Kellner 1985
+
†Anhanguera araripensis Wellnhofer 1985
†Anhanguera blittersdorffi Campos and Kellner 1985
†Anhanguera cuvieri Bowerbank 1851
+
Invalid names: Ornithocheirus colorhinus Seeley 1869 [synonym], Ornithocheirus denticulatus Seeley 1870 [synonym]
†Anhanguera ligabuei Dalla Vecchia 1993
†Anhanguera piscator Kellner and Tomida 2000
†Anhanguera robustus Wellnhofer 1987
†Anhanguera santanae Wellnhofer 1985
Fm. †Anhangueridae Campos and Kellner 1985
+
Subfm. †Coloborhynchinae Holgado et al. 2019
G. †Haliskia Pentland et al. 2024
G. †Maaradactylus Bantim et al. 2014
Subfm. †Tropeognathinae Holgado and Pegas 2020
G. †Brasileodactylus Kellner 1984
+
G. †Cearadactylus Leonardi and Borgomanero 1985
+
†Cearadactylus atrox Leonardi and Borgomanero 1985
G. †Guidraco Wang et al. 2012
+
†Guidraco venator Wang et al. 2012
G. †Istiodactylus Howse et al. 2001
+
†Istiodactylus latidens Seeley 1901
†Istiodactylus sinensis Andres and Ji 2006
Unr. †Lanceodontia Andres et al. 2014
+
Unr. †Istiodactyliformes Kellner et al. 2019
Unr. †Targaryendraconia Pegas et al. 2020
G. †Liaoningopterus Wang and Zhou 2003
+
†Liaoningopterus gui Wang and Zhou 2003
G. †Lonchodectes Hooley 1914
+
†Lonchodectes microdon Seeley 1869
+
Invalid names: Ornithocheirus huxleyi Seeley 1870 [synonym], Ornithocheirus oweni Seeley 1870 [synonym]
†Lonchodectes platystomus Seeley 1870
+
Invalid names: Pterodactylus daviesii Owen 1874 [synonym]
G. †Longchengpterus Wang et al. 2006
+
†Longchengpterus zhaoi Wang et al. 2006
G. †Ludodactylus Frey et al. 2003
+
†Ludodactylus sibbicki Frey et al. 2003
G. †Nurhachius Wang et al. 2005
+
†Nurhachius ignaciobritoi Wang et al. 2005
†Nurhachius luei Zhou et al. 2019
G. †Ornithocheirus Seeley 1869
+
†Ornithocheirus simus Owen 1861
+
Invalid names: Ornithocheirus platyrhinus Seeley 1870 [synonym]
Invalid names: Cimoliornis Owen 1846 [synonym], Criorhynchus Owen 1874 [objective synonym], Palaeornis Mantell 1835 [synonym]
G. †Ornithodesmus Seeley 1887
+
†Ornithodesmus cluniculus Seeley 1887
G. †Piksi Varricchio 2002
+
†Piksi barbarulna Varricchio 2002
Invalid names: Euornithocheira Unwin 2003 [empty]
G. †Pteranodon Marsh 1876
+
Subg. †Pteranodon (Longicepia) Miller 1971
Subg. †Pteranodon (Occidentalia) Miller 1971
Subg. †Pteranodon (Sternbergia) Miller 1971
†Pteranodon longiceps Marsh 1876
+
Invalid names: Pteranodon (Longicepia) marshi Miller 1971 [synonym], Pteranodon (Sternbergia) walkeri Miller 1971 [synonym]
†Pteranodon sternbergi Harksen 1966
+
Invalid names: Pteranodon (Occidentalia) eatoni Miller 1971 [synonym]
Invalid names: Ornithocheirus harpyia Cope 1872 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus umbrosus Cope 1872 [nomen dubium], Pteranodon comptus Marsh 1876 [nomen dubium], Pterodactylus ingens Marsh 1872 [nomen dubium], Pterodactylus occidentalis Marsh 1872 [nomen dubium], Pterodactylus oweni Marsh 1871 [nomen dubium], Pterodactylus velox Marsh 1872 [nomen dubium]
Fm. †Pteranodontidae Marsh 1876
+
G. †Dawndraco Kellner 2010
+
†Dawndraco kanzai Kellner 2010
G. †Geosternbergia Miller 1978
+
†Geosternbergia maiseyi Kellner 2010
G. †Santanadactylus Buisonjé 1980
+
†Santanadactylus brasilensis Buisonjé 1980
†Santanadactylus spixi Wellnhofer 1985
G. †Tethydraco Longrich et al. 2018
+
†Tethydraco regalis Longrich et al. 2018
G. †Volgadraco Averianov et al. 2008
+
†Volgadraco bogolubovi Averianov et al. 2008
Invalid names: Azhdarchinae Nessov 1984 [empty], Ornithostomatidae Williston 1893 [synonym], Ornithostomatinae Williston 1897 [synonym]
Superfm. †Pteranodontoidea Kellner 1996
+
Unr. †Anhangueria Rodrigues and Kellner 2013
+
G. †Camposipterus Rodrigues and Kellner 2013
+
†Camposipterus colorhinus Seeley 1869
†Camposipterus nasutus Seeley 1869
+
Invalid names: Pterodactylus fittoni Owen 1859 [synonym]
Fm. †Hamipteridae Holgado et al. 2019
+
G. †Iberodactylus Holgado et al. 2019
Invalid names: Ornithocheirae Seeley 1870 [empty]
G. †Aussiedraco Kellner et al. 2011
+
†Aussiedraco molnari Kellner et al. 2011
G. †Cimoliopterus Rodrigues and Kellner 2013
+
†Cimoliopterus cuvieri Bowerbank 1851
†Cimoliopterus dunni Myers 2015
G. †Hamipterus Wang et al. 2014
+
†Hamipterus tianshanensis Wang et al. 2014
G. †Ikrandraco Wang et al. 2014
+
†Ikrandraco avatar Wang et al. 2014
G. †Linlongopterus Rodrigues et al. 2015
+
†Linlongopterus jennyae Rodrigues et al. 2015
Fm. †Saraikisauridae Malkani 2014
+
Subfm. †Saraikisaurinae Malkani 2014
+
G. †Saraikisaurus Malkani 2014
+
†Saraikisaurus minhui Malkani 2014
Fm. †Tendaguripteridae Kellner et al. 2007
+
G. †Tendaguripterus Unwin and Heinrich 1999
+
†Tendaguripterus recki Unwin and Heinrich 1999
G. †Wenupteryx Codorniú and Gasparini 2013
+
†Wenupteryx uzi Codorniú and Gasparini 2013
Invalid names: Araripedactylus Wellnhofer 1977 [nomen dubium], Araripedactylus dehmi Wellnhofer 1977 [nomen dubium], Araripesaurus castilhoi Price 1971 [nomen dubium], Belonochasmatidae [empty], Cearadactylidae Wellnhofer 1991 [empty], Dermodactylus montanus Marsh 1878 [nomen dubium], Doratorhynchus validus Owen 1870 [nomen vanum], Eupterodactyloidea Bennett 1994 [empty], Ornithocheirus brachyrhinus Seeley 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus bunzeli Seeley 1881 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus carteri Seeley 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus crassidens Seeley 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus dentatus Seeley 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus enchorhynchus Seeley 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus eurygnathus Seeley 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus oxyrhinus Seeley 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus scaphorhynchus Seeley 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus tenuirostris Seeley 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus xyphorhynchus Seeley 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithodesmidae Hooley 1913 [empty], Osteornis Rodrigues and Kellner 2013 [nomen dubium], Pterodactylus grandipelvis Meyer 1860 [nomen dubium], Pterodactylus grandis Cuvier 1824 [nomen dubium], Pterodactylus longipes Münster 1859 [nomen dubium], Pterodactylus woodwardi Owen 1861 [nomen dubium], Santanadactylus pricei Wellnhofer 1985 [nomen dubium], Titanopterygiidae Padian 1984 [empty]
Subor. †Rhamphorhynchoidea Plieninger 1901
+
G. †Rhamphinion Padian 1984
+
†Rhamphinion jenkinsi Padian 1984
Fm. †Scaphognathidae Hooley 1913
+
G. †Fenghuangopterus Lü et al. 2010
+
†Fenghuangopterus lii Lü et al. 2010
G. †Jianchangnathus Cheng et al. 2012
+
†Jianchangnathus robustus Cheng et al. 2012
Invalid names: Comodactylus Galton 1981 [nomen dubium], Comodactylus ostromi Galton 1981 [nomen dubium], Eudimorphodontidae Wellnhofer 1978 [empty]
G. †Samrukia Naish et al. 2012
+
†Samrukia nessovi Naish et al. 2012
G. †Seazzadactylus Dalla Vecchia 2019
+
†Seazzadactylus venieri Dalla Vecchia 2019
Fm. †Wukongopteridae Wang et al. 2009
+
G. †Kunpengopterus Wang et al. 2010
+
†Kunpengopterus antipollicatus Zhou et al. 2021
†Kunpengopterus sinensis Wang et al. 2010
Invalid names: Aidacharidae Nessov 1981 [empty], Archaeopteryx vicensensis Lambrecht 1933 [nomen vanum], Austriadraconidae Kellner 2015 [empty], Campylognathoides indicus Jain 1974 [nomen dubium], Eurolimnornis Kessler and Jurcsák 1986 [nomen dubium], Eurolimnornis corneti Kessler and Jurcsák 1984 [nomen dubium], Laopteryx priscus Marsh 1881 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus hilsensis Koken 1883 [nomen dubium], Ornithocheirus nobilis Owen 1870 [nomen dubium], Ornithosaurii Bonaparte 1838 [synonym], Ptenodactylus brachyrhinus Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ptenodactylus capito Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ptenodactylus crassidens Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ptenodactylus dentatus Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ptenodactylus enchorhynchus Seeley 1869 [nomen dubium], Ptenodactylus eurygnathus Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ptenodactylus macrorhinus Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ptenodactylus oxyrhinus Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ptenodactylus platystomus Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ptenodactylus polyodon Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ptenodactylus scaphorhynchus Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Ptenodactylus tenuirostris Seeley 1869 [nomen nudum], Pteranodontes Gadow 1898 [empty], Pterodactyli Meyer 1830 [empty], Pterodactylus curtus Owen 1870 [nomen dubium], Pterodactylus hopkinsi Seeley 1864 [nomen nudum], Pterodactylus huxleyi Seeley 1865 [nomen nudum], Pterodactylus oweni Seeley 1864 [nomen nudum], Pterodactylus primus Deffner and Fraas 1859 [nomen nudum], Pterodactylus suprajurensis Sauvage 1873 [nomen dubium], Rhamphorhynchus jessoni Lydekker 1890 [nomen dubium], Rhamphorhynchus manselii Owen 1874 [nomen dubium], Rhamphorhynchus pleydellii Owen 1874 [nomen dubium], Scaphognathoidea Hooley 1913 [empty], Sharivopterygia Olshevsky 1991 [empty], Tribelesodontoidea Nopcsa 1928 [empty]
Diagnosis
ReferenceDiagnosis
R. Owen 1860Pectoral members, by the elongation of the antibrachium and fifth digit, adapted for flight. Vertebrae procoelian ; those of the neck very large, not exceeding eight in number; those of the pelvis few and small. Most of the bones pneumatic. Head large ; jaws long, and armed with teeth.
R. Owen 1861Pectoral members, by the elongation of the antibrachium and fifth digit, adapted for flight. Vertebra procoelian; those of the neck very large, those of the pelvis small. Most of the bones pneumatic. Head large ; jaws long, and armed with teeth.
K. A. v. Zittel 1890Körper vogelähnlich, von geringer oder massiger Grösse
mit kurzem oder langem Schwanz. Wirbel und Extremitätenknochen hohl, pneumatisch. Hals kräftig, ziemlich lang, mit dem Schädel einen rechten Winkel bildend. Hals- und Rückenwirbel procöl. Schwanzwirbel amphicöl. Sacrum mit drei bis fünf Wirbeln. Vordere Rückenrippen zweiköpfig. Bauchrippen vorhanden. Schädel vogelartig mit zugespitztem Schnabel, Nähte undeutlich; Kiefer bezahnt oder zahnlos. Zähne in Alveolen. Quadratbein lang, unbeweglich. Seitliche Schläfenlöcher knöchern umgrenzt. Augenhöhlen meist mit Scleroticaring. Brustbein gross, schildförmig, vorne gekielt. Clavicula fehlt. Vorderfüsse durch starke Verlängerung des fünften Fingers, woran sich eine Flughaut anheftet als Flugorgan entwickelt. Tarsus mit zwei Reihen von Knöchelchen. Metatarsalia dünn, schlank; Hinterfüsse vier- bis fünfzehig. Hautnackt.
E. Perrier 1928Membres antérieurs à doigt externe très allongé, supportant une membrane alaire.
Measurements
No measurements are available
Composition: phosphaticsubp
Maximum body mass: 544 kgs
Minimum body mass: 259 kgs
Environment: marineo
Locomotion: actively mobilec
Life habit: volanto
Diet: piscivoreo
Comments: active flyers (Padian 1983) and mostly piscivorous (Wang and Zhou 2006)o
Created: 2009-01-04 11:38:30
Modified: 2017-04-17 10:39:23
Source: s = species, o = order, c = class, subp = subphylum
References: Padian 1985, Hendy et al. 2009, Witton 2008, Carroll 1988

Age range

Maximum range based only on fossils: base of the Tuvalian to the top of the Lancian or 232.00000 to 66.00000 Ma
Minimum age of oldest fossil (stem group age): 228.0 Ma

Collections (815 total)

Oldest occurrences

Time interval Ma Country or state Original ID and collection number
Carnian237.0 - 228.0United Kingdom (England) Pterosauria indet. (13175 13176 13183)
Late/Upper Triassic - Early/Lower Jurassic237.0 - 174.7USA (Utah) Dimorphodontidae indet. (183201)
Tuvalian232.0 - 221.5Poland (Opole) Pterosauria indet. (61449)
Norian228.0 - 208.5Italy (Friuli Venezia Giulia) Seazzadactylus venieri (205840)
Norian228.0 - 208.5USA (Arizona) Pterosauria indet. (39160)
Norian228.0 - 208.5Argentina (San Juan) Pterosauria indet. (182614) Pterosauria indet., Pachagnathus benitoi, Yelaphomte praderioi (182613)
Norian228.0 - 208.5Greenland (East Greenland) Eudimorphodon sp. (26995)
Norian228.0 - 208.5Switzerland (Schaffhausen) Pterosauria indet., Eudimorphodon sp. (47803)
Norian228.0 - 208.5USA (New Mexico) Pterosauria indet. (80926 83740)
Alaunian215.56 - 212.0Luxembourg (Diekirch) Eudimorphodon sp. (56047)
Alaunian215.56 - 212.0Italy (Lombardia) Eudimorphodon ranzii (36377) Eudimorphodon ranzii, Pterosauria indet., Peteinosaurus zambelli, Carniadactylus rosenfeldi (59639)
Alaunian215.56 - 212.0Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) Eudimorphodon rosenfeldi (83417) Eudimorphodon sp. (83361) Preondactylus buffarinii (83392) Pterosauria indet. (83396) Pterosauria indet., Preondactylus buffarinii (83370)
Alaunian - Sevatian215.56 - 205.6Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia) Austriadactylus cristatus, Preondactylus buffarinii (83471) Eudimorphodon sp. (83418 83421)
Sevatian212.0 - 205.6Austria (Tirol) Eudimorphodon ranzii (83351)
Sevatian212.0 - 205.6Austria (Tyrol) Austriadactylus cristatus (68334)
Sevatian212.0 - 205.6Italy (Lombardia) Eudimorphodon ranzii (94207)
Sevatian - Rhaetian212.0 - 201.3Switzerland (Canton Grisons) Caviramus schesaplanensis (87875) Raeticodactylus filisurensis (87874)
Rhaetian208.5 - 201.3Luxembourg Eudimorphodon sp. (67895)
Rhaetian208.5 - 201.3France (Lorraine) Eudimorphodon sp. (36106 92109)
Rhaetian208.5 - 201.3Switzerland (Schaffhausen) Eudimorphodon sp. (51235)