Nemicolopterus crypticus IVPP V-14377 (Wang et al. 2008) ~120 mya, Aptian, Early Cretaceous, ~25 cm wingspan, is a very tiny pterosaur, but to the credit of its describers they considered it a sub-adult rather than a hatchling. Derived from a sister to the much larger Noripterus, Nemicolopterus phylogenetically preceded the much larger Shenzhoupterus and Sinopterus.

Overall smaller than and distinct from Noripterus, the skull of Nemicolopterus was more gracile, with a large orbit and a larger cranial crest without any rostral crest. A minor dentary keel was present. No teeth were present.

The cervicals were robust and not elongated. The dorsals were compact. The ribs and gastralia were horizontally oriented creating a wider than typical torso. This is reflected in the wide shapes of the scapulocoracoid and the sternal complex.

The sternal complex was over three times wider than long. The laterally directed coracoid produced a "bottom-decker" wing. The forelimb was more robust, but the wing and fingers I-III were not.

The hind limb was shorter. All four metatarsals were subequal. Pedal digit I was elongated such that all four unguals were aligned. Pedal digit IV extended the furthest from the heel.

The small size of Nemicolopterus is yet another example of size reduction during a morphological change from one large taxon (Germanodactylus cristatus) to another big taxon (Shenzhoupterus).

The family tree of the Ornithocephalia and Germanodactylia is here. The expanded family tree of the Pterosauria is here.

Mistralazhdarchus maggi IVPP V-14377 (Wang et al. 2008) ~120 mya, Aptian, Early Cretaceous, ~25 cm wingspan, is a very tiny pterosaur, but to the credit of its describers they considered it a sub-adul