On wing disparity and morphological variation of the Santana Group pterosaurs

• Published in: Historical biology Vol. 24; no. 5; pp. 567 - 574
• Main Authors: Vila Nova, Bruno Cavalcanti, Sayão, Juliana Manso
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.10.2012; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Anhangueridae; apendicular skeleton; bone ratios; Fossils; linear morphometry; Pterosauria; Studies; Tapejaridae
• ISSN: 0891-2963; 1029-2381
• DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2012.658386

Pterosaurs were widely spread throughout the Mesozoic Era, populating the whole world. Among this great diversity, two groups are commonly found in Brazil: the Anhangueridae and Tapejaridae. These can be mainly identified by cranial synapomorphies. However, because of the fragility of the pterosaur skeleton and rarity of the fossilisation process, the fossils found are usually incomplete, which hampers a proper taxonomic identification of the specimens. The specific proportions of these two groups of pterosaurs were obtained from bibliographic data and measurements of specimens. Eight Anhangueridae-like and seven Tapejaridae were used: Anhanguera piscator, Anhanguera santanae, Anhanguera spielbergi, Araripesaurus castilhoi, Barbosania gracilisrostris and three Anhangueridae sp. indet.; Sinopterus dongi, Tapejara wellnhoferi and five Tapejaridae sp. indet. We find that proportions of the humerus, wing metacarpal, first phalanx of the wing digit, femur and tibia are sufficient to identify partial remains of Araripe pterosaurs. A principal component analysis shows that each clade has different, non-overlapping scores in the studied ratios and these can be used with precision. Specific bone ratios for fast identification of anhanguerids and tapejarids are given, opening a broader way to diagnostic fragmentary bones.