Pterosaurs of the Crato Formation

摘要: Introduction The first significant account of a pterosaur from the Crato Formation was published over decade ago (Frey and Martill, 1994). In short intervening period between then now, more than 30 individuals have come to light. This is modest total, especially when compared 1000+ recovered, for example, Solnhofen Limestones southern Germany or Niobrara Chalk Kansas. Still, several finds notable their completeness, exceptional preservation soft-tissue structures, such as extensions cranial crests integument associated with foot, already demonstrated importance this lagerstatte our understanding palaeobiology 1994; Campos Kellner, 1997; Frey Tischlinger, 2000; et al ., 2003c). assemblage also contains number genera (e.g. Arthurdactylus , Ludodactylus Ingridia gen. nov.) that are unique deposit 2003b; chapter). They represent Lower Cretaceous lineages throw some much-needed light on ecology, palaeobiogeography evolutionary history pterosaurs during an interval they appear reached highest levels global diversity (Unwin, 2005). Fragments limb bones Upper-Triassic Caturrita Brazil (Bonaparte 2006) may earliest occurrence in South America.