Huaxiapterus jii GMN-03-11-001 (Lü and Yuan 2005) Aptian, Early Cretaceous, wingspan 9.4 m, 18.5 cm skull length, was considered a distinct taxon when first described, then relegated to a species of Sinopterus. Here Huaxiapterus is indeed a distinct taxon and this is the holotype specimen. Derived from a sister to the Aathal specimen, Huaxiapterus was a phylogenetic predecessor to Tapejara and Tupuxuara longicristatus.

Distinct from Sinopterus, the skull of Huaxiapterus was shorter with a pronounced "bump" on the rostrum. The antorbital fenestra was taller. The jugal leaned posteriorly. The cranial crest was shorter. The upper temporal fenestra was smaller. The mandible was deeper and shorter.

The cervicals were longer and more gracile. The dorsals were longer relative to the sacrals. The short ribs indicate the torso was not deep. The caudals were vestigial.

The humerus and metacarpus were longer. Fingers 1-3 were more robust. Manual 3.1 was only slightly longer than m2.1

The pelvis was smaller. The prepubis was shorter. The pubis produces a posterior process. The fibula was a vestige. Metatarsal IV was the longest. Digits II-IV were aligned distally. The proximal phalanges were shorter.

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