Pterosaur fingers eudimorphodontids
Pterosaur Fingers - Basal Eudimorphodontids up to Darwinopterus.

Eudimorphodon ranzii- Compare to the outgroup taxon, SC 332466. Metacarpal 4 was more robust. The unguals were more sharply curved.

Campylognathoides - Little change in this clade other than a slight progressive shortening of the metacarpus and fingers. In the Stuttgart and Pittsburgh specimens the stair-step metacarpals were aligned diagonally.

Rhamphorhynchus - The BMM specimen was overall much smaller than the Pittsburgh specimen of Campylognathoides with a relatively more robust metacarpal 4. Only mc1 was shorter than the others. Manual 3.2 was relatively shorter. The unguals were smaller. In R. longicaudus and R. longiceps digit 3 was relatively longer. Manual 2.1 and m3.1 were shorter. In R. muensteri the fingers were shorter than the metacarpus with shorter penultimate phalanges. In R. megadactylus the metacarpus was shorter, the fingers were relatively longer but retained shorter penultimate phalanges.

Changchengopterus - Compare to the outgroup taxon, Eudimorphodon with stair-stepped metacarpals. Manual 3.2 was no longer than wide.

Sordes - The fingers were more symmetrical. Manual 3.1 was shorter. The unguals were larger.

Jianchangopterus - Compare to the outgroup taxon, Changchengopterus, with similar overall proportions. Manual 3.1 was the shortest phalanx.

Pterorhynchus - The metacarpus was relatively shorter. Manual 2.1 and m3.1 were subequal. The unguals were smaller.

Kunpengopterus - The metacarpus was relatively longer. Only metacarpal 1 was shorter than the others. The unguals were smaller.

Wukongopterus - The penultimate phalanges were shorter and the digits were less asymmetrical with larger unguals.

Darwinopterus - Several morphologically distinct specimens have been referred to Darwinopterus. D. robustodens and D. modularis (YH-2000) had more robust metacarpals 1-3. In AMNH M8802 had longer, more gracile digits with shorter penultimate phalanges. YH-2000 had shorter proximal phalanges.

Dorygnathus to Azhdarchid fingers
Pterosaur Fingers - Dorygnathus to Azhdarchids

Dorygnathus, the Donau Specimen - compare to the outgroup taxon, Eudimorphodon ranzii. The manus was overall more gracile with a relatively shorter m3.2 and m2.1.

Dorygnathus, the SMNS 51827 specimen - had a relatively shorter metacarpus. Metcarpal 2 was as long as mc 3 and mc 4.

Dorygnathus, the SMNS 50164 specimen - had an even shorter metacarpus and more robust fingers. Manual3.1 was longer than m3.3.

Pterodactylus? spectabilis, TM 10341 or no. 1 in the Wellnhofer (1970) catalog - The metacarpus was longer, but relatively no longer than in the Donau specimen. Manual 2.2 was relatively longer. The drastic reduction in the tail places this taxon in the pterodactyloid-grade, but the metacarpus was not elongated.

Beipiaopterus - The metacarpus was twice as long. Manual 3.1 was relatively longer and m2.1 was shorter.

CM 11426 or no. 44 in the Wellnhofer (1970) catalog - The metacarpus was nearly twice as long and the fingers were less than half as long. Manual 2.1 was not shorter than m2.2.

BSPG 1911 I 31 (no. 42 in the Wellnhofer 1970 catalog) - The fingers were longer with m3.3 not longer than m3.2.

Huanhepterus - The metacarpus was relatively shorter. The fingers are unknown.

Sos 2428 - Similar to Huanhepterus in the metacarpus and similar to n42 in the fingers with a slighly longer m3.3.

Microtuban - Metacarpals were all subequal. Manual 3.1 was shorter than m2.1. Manual 3.2 was no longer than wide. The penultimate phalanges were shorter.

Jidapterus - The metacarpus was more robust. Manual 3.3 was longer. Manual 2.1 was longer.

Chaoyangopterus - Metacarpal 1 was slightly shorter than the others. The manus was more gracile. Manual 1.1 was longer.

Zhejiangopterus - Metacarpals were all subequal. Manual digits 2 and 3 were similar in length. Manual 1.1, 2.1 and 3.1 were subequal. Manual 3.3 was the shortest phalanx.

Quetzalcoatlus - Metacarpal 1 was perhaps slightly shorter. The digits are largely unknown but are reconstructed here based on Haenamichnus ichnites.

Dorygnathus to Ctenochasmatid

Pterosaur Fingers - Dorygnathus to Ctenochasmatids

Dorygnathus, the Donau Specimen - compare to the outgroup taxon, Eudimorphodon ranzii. The manus was overall more gracile with a relatively shorter m3.2 and m2.1.

Fenghuangopterus - Metacarpal 4 was more robust. Metacarpal 2 was subequal to mc3. Digits 2 and 3 were shorter. Manual 3.2 was no longer than wide.

Dorygnathus SMNS 55886 - The digits were relatively shorter and more gracile.

Dorygnathus R 156 - The metatarsus was smaller and the digits were longer with larger unguals. Manual 3.2 was longer than wide.

The St/Ei 1 specimen attributed to Pterodactylus- The metatarsus was longer. Manual 3.2 was nearly as long at m3.1. Smaller unguals. The drastic reduction in the tail places this taxon in the pterodactyloid-grade, but the metacarpus was not elongated.

MB.R.3530.1, No. 40 (Wellnhofer 1970) - The metacarpus was slightly shorter. Unguals were smaller.

Ctenochasma elegans (private specimen) - The metacarpus was nearly twice as long. Manual 1.1 was shorter and subequal to m2.1. Manual 3.3 was shorter than m3.1. The unguals were reduced to no deeper than the penultimate phalanges.

Ctenochasma? elegans (probably a small Gnathosaurus) AMNH 5147 - The metacarpus was slightly longer. The interosseum spacing was substantial. Manual 1.1 was longer.

Pterodactylus? micronyx (Pester specimen) - Manual 1.1 was shorter than m2.1, which was longer than m2.2.

Ctenochasma elegans No. 45 - The digits were shorter and more robust. The proximal phalanges were all subequal.

Ctenochasma gracile, No. 65 - The metacarpus was longer and more gracile. The digits were more gracile. Manual 3.2 was a disc.

Pterodaustro - The metacarpus was shorter with a larger wing finger joint. Digit 3 was not longer than digit 2.

Pterodaustro embryo - The metacarpus was relatively shorter. The unguals were relatively larger.

Scaphognathus fingers

Pterosaur Fingers - Jiangchangopterus to Cycnorhamphids and Ornithocheirids

Jiangchangopterus - Compare to the outgroup taxon, Changchengopterus, with similar overall proportions. Manual 3.1 was the shortest phalanx.

Scaphognathus crassirostris (holotype) - The metatarsus was shorter. Manual 3.2 was longer. The digits were more robust. The unguals were larger.

Scaphognathus SMNS 59395 - The digits were relatively longer.

Scaphognathus (Maxburg specimen) - The metatarsus was longer. The digits were shorter. The unguals were shorter. Manual 3.2 was shorter.

Gmu 10157 - The metatarsus was longer. The digits were shorter. Ungual 1.1 was larger.

TM 10134 - The metatarsus was more gracile. The digits were relatively smaller. Manual 2.1 and m3.1 were relatively longer. The unguals were smaller.

BSp 1986 XV 132 - The metatarsus was relatively longer. The digits were much shorter with smaller unguals.

No. 30 - The proximal metatarsus was more robust. The fingers were longer, but shorter than those of Gmu 10157.

Cycnorhamphus - The proximal phalanges were longer. The penultimate phalanges were shorter.

Yixianopterus - Compare to outgroup sister taxon TM 10134. (This data was difficult to gather and may include errors. It certainly includes some autapomorphies.) The metatarsus was more robust. Manual 1.1 was longer. As in the Maxburg specimen the penultimate phalanges were longer.

Lebanon specimen (MSNM V3881) - The digits were smaller. Digit 1 was not elongated as in Yixianopterus.

JZMP embryo - The digits were relatively the largest among all ornithocheirids (a possible juvenile trait?) Digits 3 and 2 nearly the same length.

Haopterus - The digits were mid-sized. The unguals were smaller. The digits were more gracile.

Boreopterus - The digits were relatively shorter with smaller unguals. Manual 3.2 was a disc. The unguals were larger.

Zhenyuanopterus - Manual 3.1 was shorter and shorter than m2.1. Manual 3.2 was longer.

Arthurdactylus -The digits were more gracile and longer with smaller unguals.

Nurhachius - The proximal metatarsus was twice the width of the distal end. The digits were much shorter and smaller with relatively large unguals. Manual 3.2 was a disc. Manual 2.2 was longer than m3.3

Istiodactylus - Digits 1-3 were subequal and nearly identical, composed of only two phalanges (including the ungual) each, which is unique in pterosaurs.

Brasileodactylus - The digits were long with larger unguals.

Anhanguera - The digits were more robust. The unguals were deeper.

Pterosaur fingers to Pterodactylus

Pterosaur Fingers - Scaphognathus to Pterodactylus and Other Tiny Pteros

Scaphognathus (Maxburg specimen) - Compare to the outgroup taxon Scaphognathus SMNS 59395.

Gmu 10157 - The metatarsus was longer. The digits were shorter. Ungual 1.1 was larger.

Ornithocephalus - The digits and unguals were smaller. Digits 1 and 2 were relatively smaller. Manual 3.1 was longer. Manual 2.2 was shorter.

No 9 - Th digits were larger and more robust.

No 31- The digits were smaller and more gracile. Manual 3.2 was as long as m3.3.

Ningchengopterus - The digits were larger, nearly as long as the metacarpus. Metacarpal 1 was the longest. Manual 3.2 was shorter.

Pterodactylus AMNH 1942 - Metacarpal 1 was shorter. The digits were relatively shorter.

Pterodactylus NHMW1975 - Manual 3.2 was longer.

Pterodactylus No 21 - Ungual 3 was smaller.

Pterodactylus (Frey and Tischlinger private specimen) - The digits were smaller and more gracile.

Pterodactylus antiquus (holotype) - The metacarpus was more gracile.

Diopecephalus - The digits are unknown. The metacarpus was relatively twice as long.

No 6 - Compare to the outgroup taxon No 31. The digits were more robust and slightly larger.

BMNH 42736 - The unguals were more trenchant.

No 12 - The digits were longer. The unguals were less trenchant. Manual 3.1 was longer.

No 23 - Manual 2.2 was shorter.

 

Pterosaur fingers Germanodactylus

Pterosaur Fingers - Germanodactylus to Tapejarids and Dsungaripterids

No 23 - Compare to the outgroup taxon No 12.

Germanodactylus rhamphastinus - Metacarpal 4 was more robust. The proximal phalanges were all shorter. The unguals were all larger.

Eosipterus - Metacarpals 1-3 were more robust. The unguals were smaller.

Germanodactylus JME Moe 12 specimen - Distal metacarpal 4 is smaller. Digit 2 was relatively smaller. Manual 3.3 was relatively longer and m3.1 was shorter.

Germanodactylus BMM specimen - The phalanges were similar in size, but m2.2 was slightly smaller and m3.2 was not much longer than wide. The unguals were trenchant.

Germanodactylus cristatus SMNK-PAL 6592 - Metacarpal 4 was longer, more gracile, as were the phalanges. Unguals 1 and 2 were much deeper than their penultimate phalanges. Manual 3.2 was elongated.

Elanodactylus NGMC 90-07-1 - The manus was more robust. The digits were relatively larger. Manual 3.2 was no longer than wide.

Elanodactylus LPM-R00078 - Metacarpal 4 was more robust. Finger 1-3 were smaller and more gracile. Manual 2.2 was relatively longer.

Germanodactylus cristatus No. 61 - Compare to the outgroup taxon, the BMM specimen of Germanodactylus. The unguals were deeper. Manual 2.1 and m3.1 were longer, m3.3 was shorter. Manual 3.2 was a disc.

SMNK PAL 3830 - The digits were more gracile. The phalanges, other than m3.2, were subequal.

Noripterus - The metacarpus was twice as long. The digits and especially their unguals were reduced. Manual 3.1 was relatively longer, but m2.2 and m3.3 were shorter.

Shenzhoupterus - The metacarpus was 3/4 as long. The proximal phalanges were subequal. Manual 3.2 was elongated. The unguals and penultimate phalanges were subequal.

Sinopterus - Metacarpus 4 was more robust. Manual 2.2 was shorter than m1.1 and m3.1. Manual 3.2 was no longer than wide. Ungual 3 was hook-shaped, distinct from the other unguals.

Huaxipterus - The metacarpus was more gracile. The digits were more robust. Manual 3.2 was nearly as long as m3.1. The unguals were similar to one another and trenchant.

Tapejara - Incompletely known. The digits were longer and gracile. The distal metacarpal 4 was robust. Not sure if metacarpals 1-3 extended to the carpus. Perhaps not.

Tupuxuara longicristatus - The unguals were smaller. The digits were more robust. Digit 2 was relatively shorter. Manual 3.2 was no longer than wide.

Tupuxuara? Goshura Museum specimen - The metacarpus was a quarter longer. The digits were also elongated. Ungual 3 was hook-shaped. Manual 3.2 was elongated.

Pterosaur fingers Germanodactylus to Pteranodon

Pterosaur Fingers - Germanodactylus to Nyctosaurus and Pteranodon

Germanodactylus cristatus SMNK-PAL 6592 - Compare to the outgroup taxon Elanodactylus

No. 13 - Overall smaller, m3.3 was shorter and the unguals were sharper.

Aurorazhdarcho - The metacarpus was nearly twice as long and metacarpals 1-3 were more gracile. Manual 1.1 was half as long. Manual 3.2 was nearly the length of m3.3. The unguals were smaller.

Eoazhdarcho - Metacarpals 1-3did not reach the carpus. The digits were longer. The unguals were smaller.

Eopteranodon - Manual 2.2 was longer and m3.1 was shorter. The unguals were larger.

Muzquizopteryx - Compare to the outgroup taxon No. 13. The metacarpus was longer, though not as long as in the eopteranodontids. Metacarpals 1-3 did not reach the carpus. The proximal phalanges were longer. The unguals were shorter.

Nyctosaurus FMNH 25026 - Metacarpal 4 was longer. The digits were less than half the size.

Nyctosaurus FHSM VP 21 - Distal metacarpal 4 was reduced. The digits were smaller and more gracile.

Nyctosaurus UNSM 93000 - The digits were mere threads.

Nyctosaurus KJ1 - No digits are known.

Pteranodon FHSM VP 2183 - Compare to outgroup Germanodactylus cristatus SMNK-PAL 6592. The metacarpus was longer. The digits were shorter.

Pteranodon YPM 1175 - The digits were smaller. The unguals were shorter.

Pteranodon (Ptweety the immature private specimen) - The fingers and their unguals were much larger, as in the JZMP embryo (above), but not in the Pterodaustro or IVPP embryos.

Pteranodon NMC41-358 - Compared to outgroup FMNH 25026. The metatarsus and digits were more gracile. The unguals were more deeply hooked. Manual 2.2 was longer relative to m2.1.

Pteranodon UALVP 24238 - The metacarpus was more robust. The digits were smaller.

 

Hwang KG, Huh M, Lockley MG, Unwin DM and Wright JL 2002. New pterosaur tracks (Pteraichnidae) from the Late Cretaceous Uhangri Formation, southwestern Korea. Geology Magazine 139(4): 421-435.

Wellnhofer P 1970. Die Pterodactyloidea (Pterosauria) der Oberjura-Plattenkalke Süddeutschlands. Abhandlungen der Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, N.F., Munich 141: 1-133.

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