A Late Jurassic-?earliest Cretaceous ctenochasmatid (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea): The first report of pterosaurs from Uruguay. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Perea, Daniel; Soto, Matías; Toriño, Pablo; Mesa, Valeria; Maisey, John G.
• Is Part Of: Journal of South American earth sciences. Volume 85(2018)
• Page Start: 298
• Page End: 306
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Ctenochasmatidae -- Late Jurassic -- South America -- Gondwana; Geology -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Latin America -- Periodicals; Geology -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Antarctica -- Periodicals; Geology -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Earth sciences -- Caribbean Area -- Periodicals; Géologie -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Amérique latine -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Antarctique -- Périodiques; Géologie -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Sciences de la terre -- Caraïbes (Région) -- Périodiques; Earth sciences; Geology; Antarctica; Caribbean Area; Latin America; Periodicals; 550.5
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsames.2018.05.011
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0895-9811

Abstract

Abstract: The Tacuarembó Formation contains a faunal assemblage with some taxa clearly indicative of a Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous age. In this context, the first remains of Uruguayan pterosaurs are described. These correspond to a dorsoventrally compressed and narrow fragment of a rostrum widening anteriorly, with alveoli and a very fragmentary dentition including a tooth base. The orientation of the alveoli and preserved tooth base allows the assumption that the teeth were projected laterally and forward from the dental borders. The deep interdental concavities make up a wavy contour of the lateral margins of the rostrum. Both morphology and size correspond to that observed in the ctenochasmatid gnathosaurines. The Uruguayan pterosaur remains represent the oldest ctenochasmatid found in South America and suggest an age of the fossiliferous horizon no older than Late Jurassic, which was already established on the basis of other fossils, such as Priohybodus arambourgui d'Erasmo, 1960. Highlights: The first pterosaurian remains from Uruguay are described. Rostrum morphology and alveoli orientation suggest they belong to Ctenochasmatidae. We interpret the relevance of this finding in the context of South American pterosaur fossil record.