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Pterosaurs from the Late Cretaceous of Angola

Authors :
Fernandes, Alexandra
Mateus, Octávio
Andres, Brian
Polcyn, Michael J.
Schulp, Anne
Gonçalves, António Olímpio
Jacobs, Louis L.
Fernandes, Alexandra
Mateus, Octávio
Andres, Brian
Polcyn, Michael J.
Schulp, Anne
Gonçalves, António Olímpio
Jacobs, Louis L.
Source :
Diversity vol.14 (2022) date: 2022-09-08 nr.9 p.1-27 [ISSN 1424-2818]
Publication Year :
2022

Abstract

Here, we describe the first pterosaur remains from Angola, an assemblage of fourteen bones from the Lower Maastrichtian marine deposits of Bentiaba, Namibe Province. One new species is introduced, Epapatelo otyikokolo, gen. et sp. nov., which comprises an articulated partial left humerus and ulna as well as an articulated left ulna and radius (from a second individual). Phylogenetic analysis confirms a non-nyctosaurid pteranodontian attribution for this new taxon and supports a new apomorphy-based clade, Aponyctosauria, which is here defined. Late Cretaceous pteranodontians are rare in Sub-Saharan Africa and throughout the Southern Hemisphere. Preliminary histological analysis also reveals a likely sub-adult age for one of the specimens. This fossil assemblage provides a first glimpse of Angolan pterosaur paleobiodiversity providing further insight into the Gondwanan ecosystems of the Upper Cretaceous.

Details

Database :
OAIster
Journal :
Diversity vol.14 (2022) date: 2022-09-08 nr.9 p.1-27 [ISSN 1424-2818]
Notes :
DOI: 10.3390/d14090741, English
Publication Type :
Electronic Resource
Accession number :
edsoai.on1445825980
Document Type :
Electronic Resource