Descrição de um espécime de Brasileodactylus (pterosauria), para a formação Romualdo Cretáceo inferior da Bacia do Araripe

Abstract

The association of pterosaurs of the Santana Group (Araripe Basin, Northeast Brazil) is notorious for usually excellent state of three-dimensional preservation, often conserving soft tissues. In addition to this, in this sedimentary unit, the group presents great taxonomic diversity, and with several described species comprising four clades: Anhangueria, Tapejaridae, Chaoyangopteridae and possibly Ctenochasmatidae. This work aims to describe a new specimen here attributed to the genus Brasileodactylus, of unknown origin, but presenting the typical preservation of the Romualdo Formation (Aptian / Albian). It consists of a partially preserved mandible, missing the most rostral portion of the symphysis and the portion between the mandibular convergence and the middle portion of the symphysis. The chemical preparation performed on the specimen, prior to the present study, substantially compromised the integrity of the material, which presents significant damage to the bone surface covering, preventing the observation of key characteristics. However, based on its morphology, cross-section, medial dorsal groove and rostral expansion of the non-branched symphysis, it was possible to identify it as belonging to the genus Brasileodactylus. Through comparisons with other taxa such as Cearadactylus, Anhanguera, Tropeognathus, Barbosania and Unwindia. This new occurrence attests to Brasileodactylus araripensis as the most abundant taxon of the Santana.