Pteranodon FHSM VP 2183 and Pteranodon [Thanatosdrakon] amaru UNCUYO-LD 307

Pteranodon FHSM VP 2183 (formerly FHSM 11402) was derived from a sister to Pteranodon occidentalis and phylogenetically preceded another specimen of Pteranodon, UUPI R197.

Overall larger than and distinct from P. occidentalis, the skull of FHSM VP 2183 probably had a longer rostrum. The lacrimal and postorbital processes of the jugal merged ventrally, reducing the orbit. The lateral temporal fenestra was larger. The orbit was higher than the antorbital fenestra.

Distinct from Eopteranodon, the cervicals were robust and short with high neural spines.

The sternal complex was hexagonal with a robust cristospine. The humerus was more robust with a convex and warped deltopectoral crest, wider than long. The ulna and radius were shorter and more robust. Fingers I-III were more robust. Manual 2.1 was shorter than m1.1 and m3.1. The femur was shorter.

Pteranodon amaru (Originally Thanatosdrakon amaru Ortiz David et al 2022, UNCUYO-LD 307; Late Cretaceous) was originally considered a large azhdarchid, but here nests as the largest Pteranodon, close to the FHSM VP 2183 specimen.

Bennett SC 1991. Morphology of the Late Cretaceous Pterosaur Pteranodon and Systematics of the Pterodactyloidea. [Volumes I & II]. Ph.D. thesis, University of Kansas, University Microfilms International/ProQuest.

Bennett SC 1992. Sexual dimorphism of Pteranodon and other pterosaurs, with comments on cranial crests. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 12: 422–434.

Bennett SC 1994. Taxonomy and systematics of the Late Cretaceous pterosaur Pteranodon (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea). Occassional Papers of the Natural History Museum University of Kansas 169: 1–70.

Bennett SC 2001. The osteology and functional morphology of the Late Cretaceous pterosaur Pteranodon. Part I. General description of osteology. Palaeontographica, Abteilung A, 260: 1–112. Part II. Functional morphology. Palaeontographica, Abteilung A, 260: 113–153.

Miller HW 1971. A skull of Pteranodon (Longicepia) longiceps Marsh associated with wing and body parts. Kansas Academy of Science, Transactions 74(10):20-33.

Ortiz David, LD, Gonzalez Riga BJ, Kellner AWA 2022. Thanatosdrakon amaru, gen. ET SP. NOV., a giant azhdarchid pterosaur from the upper Cretaceous of Argentina. Cretaceous Research 135. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2022.105228

wiki/Pteranodon

Pteranodontia

Nyctosaurus

Muzquizopteryx

Nyctosaurus FHSM VP 21

Nyctosaurus FMNH 25026

Nyctosaurus UNSM 93000

Nyctosaurus KJ

Pteranodon

Pteranodon occidentalis
YPM 1179

Pteranodon FHSM VP 2183

Pteranodon UUPI R197