Re: Smallest flying vertebrate?

["Chris Bennett" <cbennett@bridgeport.edu>]

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Marjanovic" <david.marjanovic@gmx.at>
To: "The Dinosaur Mailing List" <dinosaur@usc.edu>
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2001 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: Smallest flying vertebrate?


> > In reconstructing the pterosaur,
> > Normannognathus wellnhoferi, I became convinced it probably was not the
> > smallest pterosaur, as some claim, since it probably was at least a
third
> > larger than Pterodactylus elegans (wingspan of 25 cm).
>
> *P. elegans* and *P. kochi* are juveniles of *P. antiquus* (the type
> species), which itself is AFAIK a juvenile of *P. longicollum* -- the
latter
> is quite big. Maybe *Normannognathus* was the smallest known adult
> pterosaur, I don't know. What about *Anurognathus*?
>

I think that it is possible that David has confused what I wrote in my 1996
paper on Solnhofen pterodactyloids.  I suggested:

1.  Pterodactylus elegans are juveniles of Ctenochasma gracile.

2.  Pterodactylus micronyx are juveniles of Gnathosaurus subulatus.

3.  Pterodactylus antiquus, P. kochi, P. longicollum, Germanodactylus
cristatus, and G. rhamphastinus constituted TWO species.

I still agree with my points 1 and 2, but I am not so sure that point 3 is
quite as simple as I suggeted it was.  Regardless, I suggested that a
careful study of all specimens was necessary before publishing a formal
revision.  Note that all specimens assigned to P. antiquus and P. kochi are
immature; mature adults would have been larger.

As for Anurognathus, the specimen is small and cute and VERY immature.  An
adult might have been considerably larger.

Chris


S. Christopher Bennett, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Basic Sciences
College of Chiropractic
University of Bridgeport
Bridgeport, CT  06601-2449