GnathostomataTapejaridae

Tapejara wellnhoferi

Tapejara wellnhoferi skeletal reconstruction, left lateral view, length 45 cm, wingspan ~1.2 m.
Scale bar = 10 centimeters
Taxon
Tapejara wellnhoferi Kellner, 1989
Reconstructed length
45 cm (18 inches)
Wingspan
~1.2 m
View
Left lateral
Drawing
© Scott Hartman
Drawn
2017
Clade
  1. Gnathostomata
  2. Tetrapoda
  3. Amniota
  4. Sauropsida
  5. Archosauromorpha
  6. Archosauria
  7. Avemetatarsalia
  8. Pterosauria
  9. Pterodactyloidea
  10. Azhdarchoidea
  11. Tapejaridae

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Tapejara is the eponymous tapejarid pterosaur, a group of crested, flying reptiles that are closely related to dinosaurs without actually being one. Living in the Early Cretaceous, and found in the Santana Formation of Brazil, Tapejara was a small (1.3 m / 4.5 foot wingspan) toothless flier. Skin impressions show the bony crest was enhanced dramatically by a soft-tissue extension that was larger than the rest of the head.