New species of Huaxiapterus from the Early Cretaceous of western Liaoning

LÜ Junchang1, GAO Yubo2, XING Lida1, Li Zhixin2, SUN Zhenyuan2
1. Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing 100037, China
2. Benxi Geological Museum, Benxi, Liaoning, 117100, China

Abstract: A new species of Huanxiapterus: Huaxiapterus benxiensis sp. nov. is erected based on the new specimen. The diagnostic characters of Huaxiapterus benxiensis are well-developed premaxillary crest and parietal spine, the crest and spine parallel and extending postodorsally, and a shallow wide groove present on the dorsal surface of the anterior portion of the mandibular symphysis. The different skull morphologies of Chinese tapejarid pterosaurs indicate that they are much more diverse than the previous thought.

Key words: Huaxiapterus benxiensis, Chinese tapejarid pterosaurs, Early Cretaceous, western Liaoning

Huaxiapterus benxiensis (Draw by Zhang Zongda)