Rexarthuria, new azhdarchoid genus for “Palaeornis” cliftii from Cretaceous of England
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Ben Creisler
May 26, 2026, 11:39:40 AM (13 days ago) May 26
to DinosaurMa...@googlegroups.com
Ben Creisler
A new paper:
Rexarthuria gen. nov. for “Palaeornis” cliftii
Emily M.R. Thomas & Skye N. McDavid (2026)
The earliest European Azhdarchoid: reappraisal of “Palaeornis” cliftii Mantell, 1844 from the Wealden of Cuckfield, U.K.
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology e2664783
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2664783
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2026.2664783
“Palaeornis” cliftii is among the earliest British pterosaur discoveries. Although considered a dubious taxon by most recent authors, the type and only specimen is presently recognized as an azhdarchoid humerus, potentially closely related to Tapejaridae. Reassessment of “P.” cliftii demonstrates a unique morphology among azhdarchoid humeri, and therefore it is provisionally accepted as a valid species. As the genus name Palaeornis Mantell, 1844 is preoccupied by Palaeornis Vigors, 1825, we offer Rexarthuria, nom. nov. as a replacement name. Rexarthuria cliftii, comb. nov. represents the oldest azhdarchoid material presently known from Europe.
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Rexarthuria gen. nov. for “Palaeornis” cliftii
Emily M.R. Thomas & Skye N. McDavid (2026)
The earliest European Azhdarchoid: reappraisal of “Palaeornis” cliftii Mantell, 1844 from the Wealden of Cuckfield, U.K.
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology e2664783
doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/02724634.2026.2664783
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02724634.2026.2664783
“Palaeornis” cliftii is among the earliest British pterosaur discoveries. Although considered a dubious taxon by most recent authors, the type and only specimen is presently recognized as an azhdarchoid humerus, potentially closely related to Tapejaridae. Reassessment of “P.” cliftii demonstrates a unique morphology among azhdarchoid humeri, and therefore it is provisionally accepted as a valid species. As the genus name Palaeornis Mantell, 1844 is preoccupied by Palaeornis Vigors, 1825, we offer Rexarthuria, nom. nov. as a replacement name. Rexarthuria cliftii, comb. nov. represents the oldest azhdarchoid material presently known from Europe.
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