Pterosaur fossil from Egypt + hyperodapedontine rhynchosaur dental adaptations to tougher food (free pdfs)
72 views
Skip to first unread message
Ben Creisler
Jun 30, 2026, 1:49:28 PM (2 days ago) Jun 30
to DinosaurMa...@googlegroups.com
Ben Creisler
New papers:
Free pdf:
Belal S. Salem, Patrick M. O’connor, Matthew C. Lamanna, Wael A. Thabet, Sanaa El-Sayed, and Hesham M. Sallam (2026)
The first pterosaur fossil from Egypt
Acta Palaeontologica Polonica 71(2): 383-397
doi:10.4202/app.01344.2026
https://www.app.pan.pl/article/item/app013442026.html
Pterosaurs are known from multiple Cretaceous localities across northern Afro-Arabia and the southern Tethys margin, particularly Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, and Jordan. However, no confirmed pterosaur remains have previously been described from Egypt, leaving a significant geographic gap in our understanding of the distribution of the group during this time. Here, we report the first pterosaur fossil from Egypt (MUVP 507), an isolated, three-dimensionally preserved first wing phalanx (= left manual phalanx IV-1) recovered from fluvial-floodplain deposits of the lower Cenomanian Bahariya Formation of the Bahariya Oasis, Western Desert of Egypt. MUVP 507 belongs to a medium-sized pterosaur and shares key morphological features with representatives of Ornithocheiromorpha. The fused and ossified proximal extensor tendon process (ETP) indicates that the individual was osteologically mature at the time of death. MUVP 507 is similar to the first wing phalanx of members of the ornithocheiromorph subclade Ornithocheiriformes, displaying a sub-rectangular ETP, a prominent pneumatic foramen, small nutrient foramina, expanded curvature of the dorsal cotyle, thin cortical walls, and a posteriorly flared proximal articulation. By contrast, the new specimen differs from the first wing phalanx of penecontemporaneous azhdarchoids, which typically possess a sub-triangular ETP and weaker curvature of the dorsal cotyle. MUVP 507 represents the first confirmed pterosaur record from Egypt and adds to growing evidence of the high taxonomic diversity and broad geographic distribution of ornithocheiromorph pterosaurs in northern Africa and the then-conjoined Arabian Peninsula during the Late Cretaceous.
=====
Free pdf:
Caio A. Scartezini, Pedro L. B. Pruciano, Brodsky D. M. Farias & Marina B. Soares (2026)
Integrated microanatomy and microstructure of the maxillary tooth plate reveal a reinforced feeding system and tougher diet in Late Triassic Hyperodapedontinae (Rhynchosauria, Archosauromorpha)
The Anatomical Record (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70261
https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.70261
Free pdf:
https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ar.70261
Hyperodapedontine rhynchosaurs possessed a unique oral apparatus, long interpreted as an adaptation for processing abrasive and resistant plant material. However, the microanatomical and histological evidence supporting this interpretation remains poorly documented. Here, we investigate the maxillary tooth plates and dentition of Brazilian Late Triassic hyperodapedontines across ontogenetic stages using histological thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution computed microtomography, and compare them with Middle Triassic rhynchosaurs to assess functional implications. Hyperodapedontine exhibits clear dental adaptations for processing harder foods, including accelerated secondary dentin deposition and three special dental features (serrations, beaded edges, and flutes), which together enhance tooth functionality under intense wear. Patterns of secondary dentin deposition indicate a dietary shift from juveniles to adults, with adults exhibiting more structurally reinforced teeth. Osteohistology of the maxilla reveals an inner and mid cortex composed of woven-fibered bone and woven-parallel complexes undergoing extensive remodeling. The outer cortex on the occlusal surface is mainly composed of an avascular lamellar bone, except for the longitudinal groove floor and walls, which are formed by a nearly avascular parallel-fibered bone. The presence of an avascular to nearly avascular bone layer in the occlusal surface is consistent with a protective role against occlusal loading stress. Variation in the thickness of the parallel-fibered bone lining the longitudinal groove reveals that the medial region was structurally reinforced, indicating that the food breakdown would primarily occur in this portion of the maxillary groove–dentary blade occlusion system. Together, these characteristics reinforce previous hypotheses that Late Triassic Hyperodapedontinae were better adapted for processing tougher food resources than Middle Triassic rhynchosaurs.
====
Integrated microanatomy and microstructure of the maxillary tooth plate reveal a reinforced feeding system and tougher diet in Late Triassic Hyperodapedontinae (Rhynchosauria, Archosauromorpha)
The Anatomical Record (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70261
https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.70261
Free pdf:
https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/ar.70261
Hyperodapedontine rhynchosaurs possessed a unique oral apparatus, long interpreted as an adaptation for processing abrasive and resistant plant material. However, the microanatomical and histological evidence supporting this interpretation remains poorly documented. Here, we investigate the maxillary tooth plates and dentition of Brazilian Late Triassic hyperodapedontines across ontogenetic stages using histological thin sections, scanning electron microscopy, and high-resolution computed microtomography, and compare them with Middle Triassic rhynchosaurs to assess functional implications. Hyperodapedontine exhibits clear dental adaptations for processing harder foods, including accelerated secondary dentin deposition and three special dental features (serrations, beaded edges, and flutes), which together enhance tooth functionality under intense wear. Patterns of secondary dentin deposition indicate a dietary shift from juveniles to adults, with adults exhibiting more structurally reinforced teeth. Osteohistology of the maxilla reveals an inner and mid cortex composed of woven-fibered bone and woven-parallel complexes undergoing extensive remodeling. The outer cortex on the occlusal surface is mainly composed of an avascular lamellar bone, except for the longitudinal groove floor and walls, which are formed by a nearly avascular parallel-fibered bone. The presence of an avascular to nearly avascular bone layer in the occlusal surface is consistent with a protective role against occlusal loading stress. Variation in the thickness of the parallel-fibered bone lining the longitudinal groove reveals that the medial region was structurally reinforced, indicating that the food breakdown would primarily occur in this portion of the maxillary groove–dentary blade occlusion system. Together, these characteristics reinforce previous hypotheses that Late Triassic Hyperodapedontinae were better adapted for processing tougher food resources than Middle Triassic rhynchosaurs.
====
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages