Pterosaurs: Natural History, Evolution, Anatomy

Description

For 150 million years, the skies didn't belong to birds--they belonged to the pterosaurs. These flying reptiles, which include the pterodactyls, shared the world with the nonavian dinosaurs until their extinction 65 million years ago. Some pterosaurs, such as the giant azhdarchids, were the largest flying animals of all time, with wingspans exceeding thirty feet and standing heights comparable to modern giraffes. This richly illustrated book takes an unprecedented look at these astonishing creatures, presenting the latest findings on their anatomy, ecology, and extinction. Pterosaurs features some 200 stunning illustrations, including original paintings by Mark Witton and photos of rarely seen fossils. After decades of mystery, paleontologists have finally begun to understand how pterosaurs are related to other reptiles, how they functioned as living animals, and, despite dwarfing all other flying animals, how they managed to become airborne. Here you can explore the fossil evidence of pterosaur behavior and ecology, learn about the skeletal and soft-tissue anatomy of pterosaurs, and consider the newest theories about their cryptic origins. This one-of-a-kind book covers the discovery history, paleobiogeography, anatomy, and behaviors of more than 130 species of pterosaur, and also discusses their demise at the end of the Mesozoic. The most comprehensive book on pterosaurs ever published Features some 200 illustrations, including original paintings by the author Covers every known species and major group of pterosaurs Describes pterosaur anatomy, ecology, behaviors, diversity, and more Encourages further study with 500 references to primary pterosaur literature Cover......Page 1 Copyright......Page 5 Dedication......Page 6 Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgments......Page 12 1. Leathery-Winged Harpies......Page 14 2. Understanding the Flying Reptiles......Page 17 3. Pterosaur Beginnings......Page 25 4. The Pterosaur Skeleton......Page 36 5. Soft Bits......Page 52 6. Flying Reptiles......Page 69 7. Down from the Skies......Page 77 8. The Private Lives of Pterosaurs......Page 87 9. The Diversity of Pterosaurs......Page 103 10. Early Pterosaurs and Dimorphodontidae......Page 108 11. Anurognathidae......Page 117 12. “Campylognathoidids”......Page 126 13. Rhamphorhynchidae......Page 136 14. Wukongopteridae......Page 148 15. Istiodactylidae......Page 156 16. Ornithocheiridae......Page 165 17. Boreopteridae......Page 177 18. Pteranodontia......Page 183 19. Ctenochasmatoidea......Page 196 20. Dsungaripteroidea......Page 214 21. Lonchodectidae......Page 224 22. Tapejaridae......Page 229 23. Chaoyangopteridae......Page 241 24. Thalassodromidae......Page 247 25. Azhdarchidae......Page 257 26. The Rise and Fall of the Pterosaur Empire......Page 272 References......Page 278 Index......Page 296