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| Cryodrakon boreas
Hone, Habib & Therrien, 2019
Illustration: David Maas
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Azhdarchid pterosaurs have been known since 1972 from upper Campanian deposits of Alberta, Canada. Originally represented by only very fragmentary remains tentatively assigned to the genus Quetzalcoatlus, additional material uncovered over the years has revealed that the taxonomic identity of the Alberta pterosaur material is at odds with this in the light of the growing understanding of azhdarchid diversity. Here, we describe previously undocumented pterosaur remains from Alberta and reassess previously studied material. The specimens collected from the Dinosaur Park Formation can be assigned to a new genus and species Cryodrakon boreas, gen. et sp. nov. The largest elements referable to this taxon suggest that this genus reached sizes comparable to those of other giant azhdarchids.
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| Cervical vertebra of TMP 1992.83.07 |
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| Humerus of TMP 1992.83 |
SYSTEMATIC PALEONTOLOGY
PTEROSAURIA Kaup, 1834
PTERODACTYLOIDEA Plieninger, 1901
AZHDARCHOIDEA Nessov, 1984
AZHDARCHIDAE Nessov, 1984
CRYODRAKON BOREAS, gen. et sp. nov.
Etymology:— Cryodrakon derived from the Ancient Greek for ‘cold’ and ‘dragon,’ boreas from the Greek god of the north wind. This is therefore the ‘cold dragon of the north winds.’
David W. E. Hone, Michael B. Habib and François Therrien. 2019. Cryodrakon boreas, gen. et sp. nov., A Late Cretaceous Canadian Azhdarchid Pterosaur. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. e1649681. DOI: 10.1080/02724634.2019.1649681
New flying reptile species was one of largest ever flying animals https://eurekalert.org/e/9fzd via @QMUL @EurekAlert
