The above skeleton is based on a cast at the Goshura Museum in Japan. I do not know the scale, nor do I know how much of the skeleton is based on a real specimen, nor do I know where the actual specimen is curated. It is distinct enough to be noted and the skull closely matches one I had seen several years ago at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show, shown below. The juvenile skull PAL 4303 (at right and estimated for size compared to the large mount) is also a close match except the orbit did not lean so much.
Tupuxuara -the Goshura specimen (undescribed) ~110 mya, Late Aptian, Early Cretaceous this data is based on a museum-grade cast and model of the complete skeleton, original material unknown, so take the rest of this description with a grain of salt. Derived from a sister to Tupuxuara longicristatus and Thalassodromeus, the Goshura specimen was the last of this lineage.
Distinct from Thalassodromeus, the skull of the Goshura specimen had a straighter crest margin, a larger orbit and the parietal emerged posteriorly at the level of the orbit.
Distinct from Tupuxuara longicristatus, the wings and legs were longer.
The family tree of the Ornithocephalia and Germanodactylia is here. The expanded family tree of the Pterosauria is here. |