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| Meilifeilong youhao Wang, Kellner, Jiang, Chen, Costa, Cheng, Zhang, Vila Nova, de Almeida Campos, Sayão, Rodrigues, Bantim, Saraiva & Zhou, 2023 artwork by Maurilio Oliveira |
Abstract
The Chaoyangopteridae is a clade of azhdarchoid pterosaurs that stands out in China, particularly in the Jehol Biota, as a Cretaceous group of medium-sized and high-crested pterosaurs. Herein, we describe a new species, Meilifeilong youhao gen. et sp. nov., based on two specimens, one tentatively referred to this taxon. This new species represents the most complete and well-preserved chaoyangopterid recorded to date. Along with a set of characters (low premaxillary crest above the nasoantorbital fenestra extending posteriorly, posterior premaxillary process arched and curving posteriorly, a slightly convex sternal articulation surface of coracoid, and a fibular shaft close to proximal articulation strongly arched posteriorly), this species also provides new information both on the unknown palatal region of this clade, and on the rarely preserved (in place) ear portion with stapes. Moreover, M. youhao sheds light on paleoecological aspects, while also giving new information about the taxonomic diversity of this peculiar group of Jiufotang pterosaurs.
Systematic Paleontology
Pterosauria Kaup, 1834
Pterodactyloidea Plieninger, 1901
Dsungaripteroidea Young, 1964 sensu Kellner 2001, 2003
Azhdarchoidea Nessov 1984, sensu Kellner 2001, 2003
Chaoyangopteridae Lü et al. 2008
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| Photo (A) and line drawing (B) of the holotype (IVPP V 16059) of Meilifeilong youhao gen. et sp. nov. Arrows indicate preserved soft tissue. Abbreviations: at-ax, atlas-axis; cdv, caudal vertebra; cv, cervical vertebra; dca, distal syncarpal; dv, dorsal vertebrae; fe, femur; fi, fibula; gas, gastralia; hu, humerus; il, ilium; isc, ischium; man, mandible; mcI-IV, metacarpal I-IV; mt, metatarsal; obfo, obturator foramen.; paca, preaxial carpal; ph1-3d4, first to third phalanx of manual digit IV; phd 1–3, phalanx of the manual digit IIII; pphd, phalanx of the pedal digit; ppu, prepubis; prca, proximal syncarpal; ptd, pteroid; pu, pubis; ra, radius; ri, rib; sca-cor; scapulocoracoid; sk, skull; sv sacral vertebra; st, sternum; ta, tarsal; ti, tibia; ul, ulna; l, left; r, right. |
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| Meilifeilong youhao gen. et sp. nov. Photo (A) and line drawing (B) of the cranial elements of the holotype (IVPP V 16059) |
Meilifeilong gen. nov.
Type species. Meilifeilong youhao.
Etymology. From the Chinese expressions meili—beautiful, fei—fly, and long—dragon, meaning beautiful flying dragon in allusion to the magnificent preservation of the holotype, IVPP V 16059.
Included species. Meilifeilong sanyainus comb. nov.
Diagnosis. Chaoyangopterid with low premaxillary crest above the nasoantorbital fenestra that extends posteriorly; posterior premaxillary process arched and curving posteriorly; humerus about 20% longer than third phalanx of the wing finger (hu/ph1d4 ~ 1.20).
Meilifeilong youhao sp. nov.
Etymology. Youhao, meaning friendship in mandarin, to celebrate the two-decade continuous collaboration between Chinese and Brazilian paleontologists in pterosaur research since 2003.
Holotype. IVPP V 16059, an almost complete skeleton housed at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,
Horizon and locality. Xiaotaizi, Jianchang, Huludao City, western Liaoning China; Jiufotang Formation, Early Cretaceous (Barremian-Aptian).
Diagnosis. Chaoyangopterid pterosaur exhibiting the following autapomorphies: sternal articulation surface of coracoid slightly convex; fibular shaft close to proximal articulation strongly arched posteriorly. The new species can be further distinguished from Meilifeilong sanyainus by the following features: posterior premaxillary process more arched; jugal with lacrimal and postorbital processes at a narrower angle (~ 45° contra ~ 55° in Meilifeilong sanyainus); deeper mandibular symphysis; cervical vertebrae 5 slightly longer than cervical 4; rectangular sternum that is wider than long (square in Meilifeilong sanyainus); scapula comparatively longer relative to the coracoid, metatarsal III and IV proportionally shorter than metatarsals I and II.
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| Meilifeilong youhao gen. et sp. nov. artwork: Maurilio Oliveira |
Xiaolin Wang, Alexander W. A. Kellner, Shunxing Jiang, He Chen, Fabiana R. Costa, Xin Cheng, Xinjun Zhang, Bruno C. Vila Nova, Diogenes de Almeida Campos, Juliana M. Sayão, Taissa Rodrigues, Renan A. M. Bantim, Antônio A. F. Saraiva and Zhonghe Zhou. 2023. A New toothless Pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous Jehol Biota with Comments on the Chaoyangopteridae. Scientific Reports. 3, 22642. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48076-7
