Scaphognathus

genus of reptiles (fossil)

Scaphognathus was a rhamphorhyncoid pterosaur found in the Solnhofen limestone of the Upper Jurassic.

Scaphognathus
Temporal range: Late Jurassic, 155.7–150.8 Ma
Cast of the holotype specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Pterosauria
Family: Rhamphorhynchidae
Subfamily: Scaphognathinae
Genus: Scaphognathus
Wagner, 1861
Type species
Pterodactylus crassirostris
Goldfuss, 1831
Species
  • Scaphognathus crassirostris (Goldfuss, 1831)
Synonyms
A drawing of a Scaphognathus

It had wings that was about one meter long and a long tail shaped like a leaf. The leaf-tail probably acted like a rudder, helping it steer through the air. It was probably a diurnal (daytime) flier, where Rhamphorhynchus was probably nocturnal.

Scaphognathus ate Pholidophorus fish.[1]

References

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  1. Willis, Paul (2003). "Reader's Digest Pathfinders" marvels of nature. Australia: Reader's Digest Children's Books. ISBN 0-7944-0351-4.