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. 2023 Dec 21;13(1):22642.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-48076-7.

A new toothless pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota with comments on the Chaoyangopteridae

Xiaolin Wang  1   2 , Alexander W A Kellner  3 , Shunxing Jiang  4 , He Chen  4   5   6 , Fabiana R Costa  7 , Xin Cheng  8 , Xinjun Zhang  4   5   9 , Bruno C Vila Nova  10 , Diogenes de Almeida Campos  11 , Juliana M Sayão  10 , Taissa Rodrigues  12 , Renan A M Bantim  13 , Antônio A F Saraiva  13 , Zhonghe Zhou  4
Affiliations

A new toothless pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota with comments on the Chaoyangopteridae

Xiaolin Wang et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The Chaoyangopteridae is a clade of azhdarchoid pterosaurs that stands out in China, particularly in the Jehol Biota, as a Cretaceous group of medium-sized and high-crested pterosaurs. Herein, we describe a new species, Meilifeilong youhao gen. et sp. nov., based on two specimens, one tentatively referred to this taxon. This new species represents the most complete and well-preserved chaoyangopterid recorded to date. Along with a set of characters (low premaxillary crest above the nasoantorbital fenestra extending posteriorly, posterior premaxillary process arched and curving posteriorly, a slightly convex sternal articulation surface of coracoid, and a fibular shaft close to proximal articulation strongly arched posteriorly), this species also provides new information both on the unknown palatal region of this clade, and on the rarely preserved (in place) ear portion with stapes. Moreover, M. youhao sheds light on paleoecological aspects, while also giving new information about the taxonomic diversity of this peculiar group of Jiufotang pterosaurs.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Photo (A) and line drawing (B) of the holotype (IVPP V 16059) of Meilifeilong youhao gen. et sp. nov. Arrows indicate preserved soft tissue. Abbreviations: at-ax, atlas-axis; cdv, caudal vertebra; cv, cervical vertebra; dca, distal syncarpal; dv, dorsal vertebrae; fe, femur; fi, fibula; gas, gastralia; hu, humerus; il, ilium; isc, ischium; man, mandible; mcI-IV, metacarpal I-IV; mt, metatarsal; obfo, obturator foramen.; paca, preaxial carpal; ph1-3d4, first to third phalanx of manual digit IV; phd 1–3, phalanx of the manual digit IIII; pphd, phalanx of the pedal digit; ppu, prepubis; prca, proximal syncarpal; ptd, pteroid; pu, pubis; ra, radius; ri, rib; sca-cor; scapulocoracoid; sk, skull; sv sacral vertebra; st, sternum; ta, tarsal; ti, tibia; ul, ulna; l, left; r, right.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Photo (A) and line drawing (B) of the cranial elements of the holotype (IVPP V 16059) of Meilifeilong youhao gen. et sp. nov. Abbreviations: afo, adductor fossa; ang, angular; art, articular; ch, choana; d, dentary; ec, ectopterygoid; f, frontal; fo, foramen; ios, interorbital septum; ipo, interpterygoid opening; j, jugal; la, lacrimal; lafo, lacrimal foramen; ltf, lower temporal fenestra; n, nasal; naof, nasoantorbital fenestra; npr, nasal process; m, maxilla; mpf, maxillopalatine fenestra; or, orbit; p, parietal; pl, palatine; pm, premaxilla; pmc, premaxillary crest; po, postorbital; pplf, postpalatinal fenestra; pty, pterygoid; ptyf, pterygoid fenestra; q, quadrate; qj, quadratojugal; scl, sclerotic ring; soc, supraoccipital; sq, squamosal; stf, subtemporal fenestra; utf, upper temporal fenestra; vo, vomer; l, left; r, right.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Close-up of the postcranial elements of the holotype (IVPP V 16059) of Meilifeilong youhao gen. et sp. nov. (A) atlas-axis, (B) cervical vertebrae, (C) dorsal vertebrae, (D) sacral vertebrae; (E) caudal vertebrae, (F) left humerus, (G) left carpal region, (H) sternum and pectoral girdles, soft tissue was indicated by arrows; (I) pelvic region, (J) left foot. Scale bars, 10 mm in A & E, 30 mm in the others.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Photos of the referred specimen (IVPP V 17955) of Meilifeilong youhao gen. et sp. nov. (A) the whole specimen, (B) close-up of the bone impression, indicated by a white arrow, (C) close-up of the soft tissue, indicated by a black arrow. Scale bar, 50 mm.
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