Abstract
The Wukongopteridae is an important pterosaur group discovered from Yanliao Biota, because it combines character states seen in non-pterodactyloid and pterodactyloid pterosaurs. So far, the Wukongopteridae contains three genera: Wukongopterus, Darwinopterus and Kunpengopterus; representing five species. Here we report on a new specimen, IVPP V 17959, that can be undoubtedly referred to the Wukongopteridae based on the presence of a confluent nasoantorbital fenestra, elongated cervical vertebrae (convergent with Pterodactyloidea) and a long tail enclosed by rod-like bony extensions of the zygapophyses. Traits distinguishing this new specimen from other wukongopterid pterosaurs include a premaxilla with a low ossified anterodorsal crest, a nasal bearing the most elongated process known in the Wukongopteridae, and a lacrimal that has a foramen in its middle portion. The new kind of premaxillary crest preserved in IVPP V 17959 suggests that the presence or absence of a premaxillary crest might be an interspecific feature within the Wukongopteridae. A phylogenetic analysis including all wukongopterid pterosaurs recovers IVPP V 17959 in a polytomy with Wukongopterus and the species of Darwinopterus, having Kunpengopterus in a more basal position. The postcranial skeleton of IVPP V 17959 has ontogenetically mature characteristics including a completely fused scapula and coracoid, fused proximal and distal carpal series, and an ossified extensor tendon process of the first wing phalanx, allowing its classification as ontogenetic stage five. Furthermore, the atlas and axis are separated in IVPP V 17959, which indicates that these two bones probably are not fused in skeletally mature wukongopterid individuals.
Highlights
Over the last ten years, new discoveries of pterosaurs from China have been important for understanding the taxonomy, morphology, and life history of the clade (e.g., Andres, Clark & Xu, 2010; Andres, Clark & Xu, 2014; Wang et al, 2014b; Wang et al, 2015)
IVPP V 17959 is undoubtedly classified in the Wukongopteridae by sharing several cranial and postcranial features which are unique to the members of this clade among non-pterodactyloids (Wang et al, 2010)
IVPP V 17959 bears some features that differ from Darwinopterus modularis, Darwinopterus linglongtaensis, Darwinopterus robustodens and Kunpengopterus sinensis, including the presence of a bony crest limited to the anterior part of the premaxilla; an elongated nasoantorbital fenestra reaching about 60% of the length of the skull; a lacrimal bearing a large pear-shaped foramen, with the ventral margin wider than the dorsal margin; and the longest nasal process in the Wukongopteridae, with an angle of 90◦ between the proximal end of the process and the nasal
Summary
Over the last ten years, new discoveries of pterosaurs from China have been important for understanding the taxonomy, morphology, and life history (e.g., reproduction) of the clade (e.g., Andres, Clark & Xu, 2010; Andres, Clark & Xu, 2014; Wang et al, 2014b; Wang et al, 2015). The Wukongopteridae is a noteworthy group of the Linglongta Pterosaur Fauna, which is a part of Yanliao Biota (Zhou & Wang, 2010; Cheng, 2013; Sullivan et al, 2014). This non-pterodactyloid clade combines character states evident in both non-pterodactyloid and pterodactyloid pterosaurs (Wang et al, 2009; Lü et al, 2010; Wang et al, 2010). According to Lü et al (2011a), crested wukongopterids were male and crestless ones were female individuals, but this idea was later challenged by Wang et al (2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
