Lower Cretaceous Period

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Tropeognathus robustus

 

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Tropeognathus (keel jaw) robustus (strong)

The distinct feature of this pterosaur is its crested snout, having a keel above and below the end of the jaw.  The pterosaur was discovered in the Santana Formation, Brazil and is of Aptian age.  The species was originally described by Wellnhofer in 1987 and assigned to a separate genus, though it was originally considered as a form of Araripedactylus. In 1989, Kellner & Campos identified similarities with Anhanguera.  The status of this pterosaur is subject to discussion, but for the moment it is best suited to remain within the Criorhynchidae.

Wellnhofer P; 1987, New Crested Pterosaurs from the Lower Cretaceous of Brasil, Mitteilungen der Bayerischen Statssammlung fur Paleontologie und historische Geologie, 27: 175-186 Munchen

Kellner,  A. W. A. 1989, Os répteis voadores do Cretáceo Brasileiro. An. Inst. Geociênc. pp. 86–106.