The Pterosaur Genera

Cladistics is the study of the relationships of different organisms.  Using comparative characteristics of fossils, a phylogeny can be constructed to show the relationship of the different species.  Difficulties arise from the choices of characteristics and the importance assigned to each character.  The pterosaurs also show a high degree of evolutionary convergence, so the cladograms are often tied into the originators beliefs and biases.  Any cladogram should be viewed as a temporary tool to help with understanding of probable relationships.

Below is a generally accepted view of the position of the pterosaurs in the Archosauria phylogeny.

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