Abstract
Jurassic African pterosaur remains are exceptionally rare and only known from the Tendaguru deposits, Upper Jurassic, Tanzania. Here we describe two right humeri of Tendaguru pterosaurs from the Humboldt University of Berlin: specimens MB.R. 2828 (cast MN 6661-V) and MB.R. 2833 (cast MN 6666-V). MB.R. 2828 consists of a three-dimensionally preserved proximal portion. The combination of the morphological features of the deltopectoral crest not observed in other pterosaurs suggests that this specimen belongs to a new dsungaripteroid taxon. MB.R. 2833 is nearly complete, and because of a long and round proximally placed deltopectoral crest it could be referred to the Archaeopterodactyloidea. It is the smallest pterosaur from Africa and one of the smallest flying reptiles ever recorded. These specimens confirm the importance of the Tendaguru deposits for the Jurassic pterosaur record. This potential, however, has to be fully explored with more field work.
Highlights
Africa shows a great potential for pterosaur material due to the extensive outcrops in several areas
Regarding Tendaguru beds, four species were first established by the pioneer studies of Reck (1931): “Rhamphorhynchus” tendagurensis, “Pterodactylus” maximus, “Pterodactylus” brancai, and “Pterodactylus” arningi
Afterward Sayão and Kellner (2001) briefly discussed part of Tendaguru pterosaur collection and mentioned the existence of the two humeri, which are here described in detail
Summary
Africa shows a great potential for pterosaur material due to the extensive outcrops in several areas. Afterward Sayão and Kellner (2001) briefly discussed part of Tendaguru pterosaur collection and mentioned the existence of the two humeri, which are here described in detail. Material: Proximal portion of a right humerus housed at the Naturkundemuseum of the Humboldt University (MB.R. 2828), Berlin; cast at the Museu Nacional/UFRJ (MN 6661-V), Rio de Janeiro. In lateral view the proximal margin of the deltopectoral crest is markedly concave, while the distal margin is straight.
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