Braincase anatomy of Pterodaustro guinazui

CODORNIÚ L. AND PAULINA-CARABAJAL A.

Rio Ptero 2013, International Symposium on Pterosaurs

Universidade Federal do rio de Janeiro Museu nacional Serie Livros

Lugar: Rio de Janeiro; Año: 2013; p. 51 - 54

The braincase anatomy is poorly known in pterosaurs. Compared to the large number of species and specimens that have been recorded so far for Pterosauria, the braincase is known for a few genera within the clade. New material of the pterodactyloid Pterodaustro guinazui (Lower Cretaceous of Lagarcito Formation, San Luis Province, Argentina) allows a detailed description of the braincase anatomy based mainly on an undescribed specimen with an exposed braincase in latero-ventral view. Although several skulls were previously described for this taxon (Bonaparte, 1971; Sánchez, 1973; Chiappe et al., 2000), the braincase remains are poorly known, as in most pterosaurs. The new specimen (MIC V 250) corresponds to a partial skull, which is missing the squamosal and postorbital. The material is not highly depressed and also exhibits some aspects of the skull roof and the occipital plate. Other 13 specimens allow the description of the dorsal, posterior, and partially ventral braincase views. The new specimens of Pterodaustro guinazui reveal neuroanatomical features and are informative concerning the pterodactyloid condition.