Sinopterus

Fossil of Sinopterus dongi.

• China, Liaoning ( Jiufotang Formation)

• Sinopterus dongi (Wang & Zhou, 2003)
• Sinopterus jii ( Lu & Yuan, 2005) [ originally Huaxiapterus ]

Sinopterus is a genus of short-tailed pterosaurs ( Pterodactyloidea ) from the group of Tapejaridae. Fossils are from the Lower Cretaceous ( Aptian ) of Jiufotang Formation ( Jehol Group) in China. So far, three types have been reported, two of which are currently considered valid.

Features

Sinopterus was a medium-sized, short-tailed pterosaurs. The holotype specimen of Sinopterus dongi had a wingspan of 1.18 meters, while another, larger specimen of this type ( copy number D2525 ) reached a wingspan of about 2 meters. A third specimen, which was formerly known as Sinopterus gui and represents a very young individual, showed a wingspan of 0.64 meters. The holotype specimen of the second kind, Sinopterus jii is estimated at a wingspan of 1.62 meters.

The skull was relatively long and low, and measures the holotype specimen has a length of 17 centimeters. He ended up in a sleek, toothless snout with a beak made ​​of horn. From other representatives of Tapejaridae Sinopterus be distinguished by the shape of the skull ridge, was less pronounced, but bent in the front section in the rear portion upward. In addition, the Nasoantorbitalfenster that location before the eyes of the skull window was smaller than in other Tapejaridae. The downward crest of the mandible was flatter than in related genera.

Research History and Types

Sinopterus 2003 was described with the kind Sinopterus dongi by Wang and Zhou for the first time scientifically. This description is based on a relatively complete skeleton including skull. It was the first evidence of a representative of Tapejaridae outside of Brazil.

A second, but now considered as invalid type " Sinopterus gui", was set up by Li, Lu and Zhang 2003. These researchers excluded from the new species by the presence of Notariums, the absence of a cranial ridge and through a comparatively smaller the thigh bone. Kellner and Campos (2007) show, however, that a Notarium was not available and that the length of the femur was measured incorrectly. Rather, it was, according to these researchers at a very young specimen of Sinopterus dongi.

A third type, Sinopterus jii, wrote Wang and Zhou (2007) to this genus. Kellner and Campos (2007) confirm this assignment. This species was originally described by Lü and Yuan (2005) described under the name " Huaxiapterus jii " as the type species of the genus Huaxiapterus.