New pterosaur fossils from Early Cretaceous of Colombia

[Ben Creisler]

Ben Creisler

bcre...@gmail.com

A new paper:

Edwin-Alberto Cadena, Dubban A. Atuesta-Ortiz & Jeffrey A. Wilson Mantilla (2024)
New pterosaur fossils from the Early Cretaceous of Colombia
Journal of South American Earth Sciences 105273
doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2024.105273
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0895981124004954


Highlights

The fossil record of pterosaurs in northwestern Gondwana has been limited, with only two prior occurrences.
New findings from three sites in Colombia include a record of an Anhanguera-like specimen and bones attributable to Anhangueria.
The new material includes a distinctive partial lower jaw, notable for its triangular glenoid fossa, bean-shaped fossa depressoria, and straight-edged retroarticular process.
These fossils extend the presence of Anhanguera-like pterosaurs into the earliest Cretaceous, enriching the vertebrate fossil record for lower latitudes.


Abstract

The fossil record of pterosaurs in northwestern Gondwana has been relatively scarce, with only two previous occurrences. This study presents new pterosaur findings from three sites in Colombia, including a new record of an Anhanguera-like specimen and other bones referrable to Anhangueria. The new material includes a distinctive partial lower jaw found in association with parts of a radius and a complete distal syncarpal. The lower jaw has a triangular glenoid fossa in dorsal view, a fossa depressoria with a bean-shaped outline, and a retroarticular process with a straight margin in lateral or medial views. The new fossils extend the record of Anhanguera-like pterosaurs into the earliest part of the Cretaceous and expand our knowledge of the vertebrate fossil record of lower latitudes.

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[Ben Creisler]

Now in final form with free pdf:

Free pdf:

Edwin-Alberto Cadena, Dubban A. Atuesta-Ortiz & Jeffrey A. Wilson Mantilla (2025)

New pterosaur fossils from the Early Cretaceous of Colombia

Journal of South American Earth Sciences 151: 105273

doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsames.2024.105273
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0895981124004954