Tendaguripterus

Tendaguripterus is a genus of pterosaur from the Late Jurassic period. It is known from a single species, Tendaguripterus recki, discovered in the Tendaguru Formation in Tanzania. The genus was first described and named by Peter Wellnhofer in 1991.

Description

The Tendaguripterus is characterized by its unique wing structure. The wing bones, or metacarpals, are unusually short and robust compared to other pterosaurs. The fourth metacarpal, which supports the wing, is particularly thickened. This suggests that Tendaguripterus had a different flight style compared to other pterosaurs, possibly involving more active flapping.

The skull of Tendaguripterus is not well known, as only fragments have been found. However, these fragments suggest that it had a long, narrow snout filled with sharp teeth, similar to other pterosaurs.

Discovery and naming

The only known specimen of Tendaguripterus was discovered in the Tendaguru Formation in Tanzania, a site famous for its abundance of dinosaur fossils. The specimen, a partial wing, was found by German paleontologist Werner Janensch in the early 20th century. It was not described until 1991, when Peter Wellnhofer named it Tendaguripterus recki. The genus name combines the name of the formation with "pterus", Greek for "wing". The species name honors Bernhard Reck, a German explorer who made significant contributions to the study of the Tendaguru Formation.

Classification

Tendaguripterus is classified within the group Pterodactyloidea, a diverse group of pterosaurs that includes all known pterosaurs with short tails and long metacarpals. Within this group, the exact placement of Tendaguripterus is uncertain due to the incomplete nature of the fossil material.

Paleobiology

The unique wing structure of Tendaguripterus suggests that it had a different flight style compared to other pterosaurs. It may have been a more active flapper, using its robust wings to generate lift. The diet of Tendaguripterus is not known, but based on its sharp teeth, it likely fed on small animals or fish.

See also

• List of pterosaur genera
• Timeline of pterosaur research