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| Mongol Giant |
ABSTRACT
Fragmentary cervical vertebral elements of a gigantic pterosaur are described from the upper Campanian–Maastrichtian Nemegt Formation in the Gobi Desert. With an estimated width of a posterior centrum across the postexapophyses of 198 mm, this taxon represents one of the largest pterosaurs currently known. This is the first discovery of a pterosaur from the Nemegt Formation, adding further evidence that gigantic pterosaurs were widely distributed in Eurasia and North America during the latest Cretaceous.
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
PTEROSAURIA Owen, 1842
PTERODACTYLOIDEA Plieninger, 1901
ORNITHOCHEIROIDEA Seeley, 1891
?AZHDARCHIDAE Nessov, 1984
Gen. et sp. indet.
Locality: Gurilin Tsav, western Gobi Desert, Mongolia.
Formation/Age: Nemegt Formation, Upper Cretaceous (upper Campanian–lower Maastrichtian to Maastrichtian).
DESCRIPTION
Three vertebral elements, one centrum, and two fragmentary neural arches (MPC-D 100/116, 100/117, and 100/118), were found in close proximity to one another in the same horizon and were thus presumably derived from a single individual.
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Takanobu Tsuihiji, Brian Andres, Patrick M. O'connor, Mahito Watabe, Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar and Buuvei Mainbayar. 2017. Gigantic Pterosaurian Remains from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2017.1361431
Ancient Winged Terror Was One of the Largest Animals to Fly on.natgeo.com/2gYJkLJ via @NatGeo
