The first evidence of a Campylognathoides—like pterosaur in the Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) Whitby Mudstone Formation of Lincolnshire, England

Abstract

While pterosaurs occur in the Lower Jurassic strata of Britain and Germany, only the family Rhamphorhynchidae is currently known found in both. A newly discovered humerus from the Whitby Mudstone Formation of Lincolnshire challenges this and is distinguished from all other Lower Jurassic British pterosaurs by its possession of a quadrangular deltopectoral crest. This is a rare morphotype which only occurs in Eudimorphodon, Austriadraco, Raeticodactylus, Carniadactylus and Campylognathoides. The Lincolnshire humerus compares well with these taxa but is identified as a cf. Campylognathoides sp. based on its age and palaeobiogeography. The genus Campylognathoides is a common pterosaur in the Toarcian Posidonia Shale of Germany and the new humerus supports continuity of pterosaur populations across central Laurasia.