Scaphognathus
genus of reptiles (fossil)
Scaphognathus was a rhamphorhyncoid pterosaur found in the Solnhofen limestone of the Upper Jurassic.
Scaphognathus Temporal range: Late Jurassic,
| |
---|---|
Cast of the holotype specimen | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Order: | †Pterosauria |
Family: | †Rhamphorhynchidae |
Subfamily: | †Scaphognathinae |
Genus: | †Scaphognathus Wagner, 1861 |
Type species | |
†Pterodactylus crassirostris Goldfuss, 1831
| |
Species | |
| |
Synonyms | |
|
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.
Diet
changeScaphognathus ate Pholidophorus fish.[1]
References
change- ↑ Willis, Paul (2003). "Reader's Digest Pathfinders" marvels of nature. Australia: Reader's Digest Children's Books. ISBN 0-7944-0351-4.