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First record ofColoborhynchus (Pterosauria) from the Santana Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of the Chapada do Araripe, Brazil

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Abstract

The anterior tips of associated upper and lower jaws of a pterosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil are described and assigned to the taxonColoborhynchus in the family Ornithocheiridae. It is characterized by the shape and position of the sagittal crest on the upper and lower jaw, the arrangement and length of the teeth and the spoon-like lateral expansion of the anterior parts of the jaws. It closely resemblesColoborhynchus wadleighi from North America andColoborhynchus clavirostris from England. Diagnostic anatomical characteristics permit a revision of the genusTropeognathus, which is shown here to be a junior synonym of other described taxa.Tropeognathus mesembrinus is referred toCriorhynchus andT. robustus toColoboryhnchus. Consistent anatomical features enable the new jaw fragment to be assigned toColoborhynchus robustus.

Kurzfassung

Das anteriore Ober- und Unterkieferfragment eines Pterosauriers aus der Unteren Kreide von Brasilien wird beschrieben und zur GattungColoborhynchus in die Familie Ornithocheiridae gestellt. Die charakteristischen antomischen Eigenschaften sind der sagitale Kamm am Ober- und Unterkiefer, die Anordnung und Länge der Zähne und die löffeiförmige laterale Verbreiterung der anterioren Kieferenden. Das Stück ähnelt starkColoborhynchus wadleighi aus Nordamerika undColoborhynchus clavirostris aus England. Die diagnostischen morphologischen Eigenschaften des beschriebenen Stückes ermöglichen eine Revision der GattungTropeognathus, die synonym mit anderen Gattungen ist.Tropeognathus mesembrinus wird in die GattungCriorhynchus, T. robustus in die GattungColoborhynchus gestellt. Aufgrund der starken anatomischen Übereinstimmung kann das beschriebene Fragment alsColoborhynchus robustus identifiziert werden.

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Fastnacht, M. First record ofColoborhynchus (Pterosauria) from the Santana Formation (Lower Cretaceous) of the Chapada do Araripe, Brazil. Paläontol Z 75, 23–36 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03022595

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