A new tapejarid (Pterosauria, Azhdarchoidea) from the mid-Cretaceous Kem Kem beds of Takmout, southern Morocco

David M. Martill, Roy Smith, David M. Unwin, Alexander Kao, James McPhee, Nizar Ibrahim

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Abstract

A new pterosaur, Afrotapejara zouhrii gen. et sp. is described on the basis of a partial rostral fragment from the Cretaceous Kem Kem beds of Takmout, near Erfoud in southern Morocco. The taxon is distinguished from all other Tapejaridae on the possession of a dorsal expansion of the rostral margin a short distance from the rostral tip. Tapejarid features include a downturned rostrum (autapomorphic), edentuly, expansion of the rostral median crest (autapomorphic) and the presence of small foramina on the lateral margins and occlusal surface. The new specimen is the fourth edentulous pterosaur taxon from the Kem Kem beds and is the first unambiguous occurrence of Tapejaridae in Africa.
Original languageEnglish
Article number104424
JournalCretaceous Research
Volume112
Early online date19 Mar 2020
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2020

Keywords

  • Pterosauria
  • Azhdarchoidea
  • Tapejaridae
  • Cretaceous
  • Africa
  • Morocco

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