Thalassodromeus

Taxobox
name = "Thalassodromeus"
fossil_range = Early Cretaceous

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image_width = 200px
image_caption = Life restoration of "Thalassodromeus sethi".
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
ordo = Pterosauria
subordo = Pterodactyloidea
superfamilia = Azhdarchoidea
genus = "Thalassodromeus"
genus_authority = Kellner & Campos, 2002
subdivision_ranks = Species
subdivision ="T. sethi" Kellner & Campos, 2002 (type) "Thalassodromeus" ("sea runner") was a large pterosaur found in northeastern Brazil. It lived roughly from 122-109 million years ago. It shared the skies with its larger cousin- "Tapejara". It is particularly notable for its immense head crest, which accounts for seventy five percent of the surface of its 1.4 metre long skull. It had a wing span of roughly 4.5 metres.Kellner, A. W. A., and Campos, D. A. (2002). "The function of the cranial crest and jaws of a unique pterosaur from the early Cretaceous of Brazil." "Science", 297 (5580): 389-392. (19 July 2002).] The function of the crest is unknown, but it may have been used for sexual display, species recognition, or thermoregulation.

"Thalassodromeus" was believed to have fed in a similar way to modern skimmers; trailing its lower jaw in the water while it flew. However, its jaw and neck anatomy suggest that this creature wouldn't be able to skim at all [http://www.flickr.com/photos/markwitton/883325461/in/set-72057594082038974/]

References

External links

* National Geographic story on "Thalassodromeus" [http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/07/0718_020718_pterosaur.html]