Pterorhynchus wellnhoferi (Czerkas and Ji 2002) Callovian, Middle Jurassic ~165mya, preserved a lot of soft tissue, from the head crests and chin wattle to the wings to the tail vanelets running its length. Derived from a sister to Sordes, Pterorhynchus phylogenetically preceded Scaphognathus, Kunpengopterus, Darwinopterus and Wukongopterus.
Distinct from Sordes, the skull of Pterorhynchus was longer with a much larger antorbital fenestra. The naris was reduced to a slit dorsal to it. No posterior teeth were present. The ventral mandible was convex. The quadrate leaned posteriorly.
The dorsals were longer creating a longer (taller) torso. The caudals were elongated but no vane was present at the tip. Instead small vanes appeared along the entire posterior half of the tail.
The sternal complex was much larger. The scapula and coracoid were fused. The humerus was also much larger, especially relative to the rather small scapula and coracoid. The wing was much more gracile and, when folded, extended above the skull.
The prepubis was robust and to carry it, the pubis was thicker. The hind limbs were more gracile. The pes was little changed.
|