Eotephradactylus: a new Chinle pterosaur
According to Wikipedia – Eotephradactylus
“Eotephradactylus mcintireae, discovered in 2011 and named in 2025. It is known from part of the lower jaw, isolated teeth, and possibly a wing bone found in the Chinle Formation, which dates to the Norian age.”
So, not much to work from, but note the heterodont dentition with multi-cusped ‘molars’.
“Eotephradactylus is characterized by having heterodont dentition in its dentary, with a combination of thin, pointed caniniform teeth closer to the front of the snout and broader, cusped teeth toward the back of the jaws.”
What other related taxa
heterodont dentition = cusped posterior teeth?
Longisquama and to a lesser extent Cosesaurus (Fig 1).
Figure 1. Skulls of pterosaur ancestors from Huehuecuetzpalli through Macrocnemus, Cosesaurus, Longisquama and the pterosaur Bergamodactylus.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fenestrasaur_skulls588.jpg?w=205″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fenestrasaur_skulls588.jpg?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-48838″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fenestrasaur_skulls588.jpg” alt=”Figure 1. Skulls of pterosaur ancestors from Huehuecuetzpalli through Macrocnemus, Cosesaurus, Longisquama and the pterosaur Bergamodactylus.” width=”584″ height=”856″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fenestrasaur_skulls588.jpg?w=584&h=856 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fenestrasaur_skulls588.jpg?w=102&h=150 102w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fenestrasaur_skulls588.jpg?w=205&h=300 205w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/fenestrasaur_skulls588.jpg 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 1. Skulls of pterosaur ancestors from Huehuecuetzpalli through Macrocnemus, Cosesaurus, Longisquama and the pterosaur Bergamodactylus.
Which competing pterosaur outgroups
do not have heterodont dentition? Lagerpetids like Tropidosuchus (Fig 2).
Figure 1. Dromomeron braincase compared to Tropidosuchus, the closest relative of Lagerpeton in the LRT.
” data-medium-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dromomeron-gregorii-braincase588.gif?w=277″ data-large-file=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dromomeron-gregorii-braincase588.gif?w=584″ class=”size-full wp-image-85058″ src=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dromomeron-gregorii-braincase588.gif” alt=”Figure 1. Dromomeron braincase compared to Tropidosuchus, the closest relative of Lagerpeton in the LRT.” width=”584″ height=”632″ srcset=”https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dromomeron-gregorii-braincase588.gif?w=584&h=632 584w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dromomeron-gregorii-braincase588.gif?w=139&h=150 139w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dromomeron-gregorii-braincase588.gif?w=277&h=300 277w, https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/dromomeron-gregorii-braincase588.gif 588w” sizes=”(max-width: 584px) 100vw, 584px” />
Figure 2. Dromomeron braincase compared to Tropidosuchus, the closest relative of Lagerpeton in the LRT.
It’s long past time for pterosaur workers
to acknowledge the proximity of Longisquama to Triassic pterosaurs (Peters 2000).
References
Kligman BT et al (7 co-authors) 2025. Unusual bone bed reveals a vertebrate community with pterosaurs and turtles in equatorial Pangaea before the end-Triassic extinction. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 122 (29): e2505513122. doi:10.1073/pnas.2505513122
Peters D 2000a. Description and Interpretation of Interphalangeal Lines in Tetrapods. Ichnos 7:11-41.
Peters D 2000b. A Redescription of Four Prolacertiform Genera and Implications for Pterosaur Phylogenesis. Rivista Italiana di Paleontologia e Stratigrafia 106 (3): 293–336.
wiki/Eotephradactylus
reptileevolution.com/cosesaurus
reptileevolution.com/longisquama
/reptileevolution.com/MPUM6009 = Bergamodactylus
reptileevolution.com/pterosaur-wings
Publicity
Pester P 2025. ‘Ash-winged dawn goddess’ is oldest pterosaur ever discovered in North America — and it was small enough to sit ‘on your shoulder’”. Live Science.
Source: https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/2025/07/08/eotephradactylus-a-new-chinle-pterosaur/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,707,952,984 |
| Stories: | 8,449,030 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
