Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-01-05T12:39:19.539Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

New smallest specimen of the pterosaur Pteranodon and ontogenetic niches in pterosaurs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2017

S. Christopher Bennett
S. Christopher Bennett*
Affiliation:
Department of Biological Sciences, Fort Hays State University, Hays, Kansas 67601-4099, USA 〈[email protected]〉
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

A new juvenile specimen of Pteranodon from the Smoky Hill Chalk Member of the Niobrara Formation of western Kansas had an estimated wingspan in life of 1.76 m, ~45% smaller than the smallest previously known specimens, but does not differ in morphology from larger specimens. Its presence indicates that juveniles were capable of flying long distances, so it falsifies the interpretation of Pteranodon as growing rapidly to adult size under parental care before flying. Instead juveniles were precocial, growing more slowly to adult size while flying and feeding independently for several years before going to sea. Because juveniles are otherwise unknown in the Smoky Hill Chalk Member, they must have occupied different environments and ecological niches than adults; thus Pteranodon exhibited ontogenetic niches. Evidence is presented that most other pterosaurs (e.g., Rhamphorhynchus, Pterodactylus, Anhanguera) also exhibited various ontogenetic niches, which, along with their large body size, suggests that pterosaur taxonomic diversity was rather low, like that of crocodilians.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Paleontology , Volume 92 , Issue 2 , March 2018 , pp. 254 - 271
Copyright
Copyright © 2017, The Paleontological Society 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Allsteadt, J., and Lang, J.W., 1995, Incubation temperature affects body size and energy reserves of hatchling American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis): Physiological Zoology, v. 68, p. 76–97.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Andres, B., Clark, J.M., and Xing, X., 2010, A new rhamphorhynchid pterosaur from the Upper Jurassic of Xinjiang, China, and the phylogenetic relationships of basal pterosaurs: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, v. 30, p. 163–187.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Andres, B., Clark, J.M., and Xing, X., 2014, The earliest pterodactyloid and the origin of the group: Current Biology, v. 24, p. 1011–1016.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Archibald, J.D., Sues, H.-D., Averianov, A.O., King, C., Ward, D.J., Tsaruk, O.I., Danilov, I.G., Rezvyi, A.S., Veretennikov, B.G., and Khodjaev, A., 1998, Précis of the Cretaceous paleontology, biostratigraphy and sedimentology at Dzharakuduk (Turonian?–Santonian), Kyzylkum Desert, Uzbekistan, in Lucas, S.G., Kirkland, J.I., and Estep, J.W., eds., Lower to Middle Cretaceous Terrestrial Ecosystems: Bulletin of the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, v. 14, p. 21–28.Google Scholar
Arcucci, A., Prámparo, M.B., Codorniú, L., Giordano, G., Castillo-Elías, G., Puebla, G., Mego, N., Gómez, M.A., and Bustos-Escalona, E., 2015, Biotic assemblages from Early Cretaceous lacustrine systems in the San Luis Basin, mid-western Argentina: Boletín Geológico y Minero, v. 126, p. 109–128.Google Scholar
Artero, C., Koenig, C.C., Richard, P., Berzins, R., Guillou, G., Bouchon, C., and Lampert, L., 2015, Ontogenetic dietary and habitat shifts in goliath grouper Epinephelus itajara from French Guiana: Endangered Species Research, v. 27, p. 155–168.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Averianov, A.O., 2010, The osteology of Azhdarcho lancicollis Nessov, 1984 (Pterosauria, Azhdarchidae) from the late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan: Proceedings of the Zoological Institute RAS, v. 314, p. 264–317.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bantim, R.A.M., Saraiva, A.A. F., Oliveira, G.R., and Sayão, J.M., 2014, A new toothed pterosaur (Pterodactyloidea: Anhangueridae) from the Early Cretaceous Romualdo Formation, NE Brazil: Zootaxa, v. 3869, p. 201–223.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Barthel, K.W., Swinburne, N.H.M., and Conway Morris, S., 1990, Solnhofen: A Study in Mesozoic Paleontology: Cambridge, UK, Cambridge University Press, 236 p.Google Scholar
Bell, C.M., and Padian, K., 1995, Pterosaur fossils from the Cretaceous of Chile—evidence for pterosaur colony on an inland desert plain: Geological Magazine, v. 132, p. 31–38.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 1992, Sexual dimorphism of Pteranodon and other pterosaurs, with comments on cranial crests: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, v. 12, p. 422–434.Google Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 1993, The ontogeny of Pteranodon and other pterosaurs: Paleobiology, v. 19, p. 92–106.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 1994a, Taxonomy and systematics of the Late Cretaceous pterosaur Pteranodon (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea): Occasional Papers of the Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas, Lawrence, v. 169, p. 1–70.Google Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 1994b, The pterosaurs of the Niobrara Formation: The Earth Scientist, v. 11, p. 22–25.Google Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 1995, A statistical study of Rhamphorhynchus from the Solnhofen Limestone of Germany, year-classes of a single large species: Journal of Paleontology, v. 69, p. 569–580.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 1996, Year-classes of pterosaurs from the Solnhofen Limestone of Germany: taxonomic and systematic implications: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, v. 16, p. 432–444.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2001, The osteology and functional morphology of the Late Cretaceous pterosaur Pteranodon : Palaeontographica A, v. 260, p. 1–153.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2003, New crested specimens of the Late Cretaceous pterosaur Nyctosaurus : Paläontologische Zeitschrift, v. 77, p. 61–75.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2006, Juvenile specimens of the pterosaur Germanodactylus cristatus, with a review of the genus: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, v. 26, p. 872–878.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2007a, A review of the pterosaur Ctenochasma: taxonomy and ontogeny: Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen, v. 245, p. 23–31.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2007b, A second specimen of the pterosaur Anurognathus ammoni : Paläontologische Zeitschrift, v. 81, p. 376–398.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2008, Morphological evolution of the forelimb of pterosaurs: myology and function, in Buffetaut, E., and Hone, D.W.E., eds., Flugsaurier: Pterosaur Papers in Honour of Peter Wellnhofer: Zitteliana B, v. 28, p. 127–141.Google Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2013a, New information on body size and cranial display structures of Pterodactylus antiquus, with a revision of the genus: Paläontologische Zeitschrift, v. 87, p. 269–289.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2013b, The phylogenetic position of the Pterosauria reexamined: Historical Biology, v. 25, p. 545–563.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2013c, The morphology and taxonomy of Cycnorhamphus : Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen, v. 267, p. 23–41.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2014a, New smallest specimen of the pterosaur Pteranodon and multi-niche ontogeny in pterosaurs: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, SVP Program and Abstracts Book, v., 2014, p. 89.Google Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2014b, A new specimen of the pterosaur Scaphognathus crassirostris, with comments on constraints of cervical vertebrae number in pterosaurs: Neues Jahrbuch für Geologie und Paläontologie, Abhandlungen, v. 271, p. 327–348.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., 2016, New interpretation of the wings of the pterosaur Rhamphorhynchus muensteri based on the Zittel and Marsh specimens: Journal of Paleontology, v. 89, p. 845–869.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Bennett, S.C., and Penkalski, P., 2017, Waves of bone deposition on the rostrum of the pterosaur Pteranodon , in Hone, D.W.E., Witton, M.P., and Martill, D.M., eds., New Perspectives on Pterosaur Palaeobiology: Geological Society of London, Special Publications, 455. First published online February 22, 2017, doi: 10.1144/SP455.2.Google Scholar
Bird Banding Laboratory, 2016, Longevity records of North American birds: Retrieved from http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/BBl/longevity/longevity_main.cfm.Google Scholar
Bonaparte, J.F., 1970, Pterodaustro guinazui gen. et sp. nov. Pterosaurio de la Formacion Lagarcito, Provincia de San Luis, Argentina y su significado en la geologia regional (Pterodactylidae): Acta Geologica Lilloana, v. 10, p. 209–225.Google Scholar
Brown, B., 1943, Flying reptiles: Natural History, v. 52, p. 104–111.Google Scholar
Buisonjé, P.H. de, 1980, Santanadactylus brasilensis nov. gen., nov. sp., a long-necked, large pterosaurier from the Aptian of Brasil: Proceedings, Koninklijke Nederlandse Akademie van Wetenschappen B, v. 83, p. 145–172.Google Scholar
Campos, D.A., and Kellner, A.W.A., 1985, Panorama of the flying reptiles study in Brazil and South America: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias, v. 57, p. 453–466.Google Scholar
Carpenter, K., 1990, Upward continuity of the Niobrara fauna with the Pierre Shale fauna, in Bennett, S.C., ed., Niobrara Chalk Excursion Guidebook, 1990 Annual Meeting, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology: Kansas Geological Survey, Open-file Report 90-60, p. 73–81.Google Scholar
Carpenter, K., 2008, Vertebrate biostratigraphy of the Smoky Hill Chalk (Niobrara Formation) and the Sharon Springs Member (Pierre Shale), in Harries, P.J., ed., High-Resolution Approaches in Stratigraphic Paleontology: Topics in Geobiology Series, v. 21, p. 421–437. DOI: 10.1017/S001675680530077X.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Carrier, D., and Leon, L.R., 1990, Skeletal growth and function in the California gull (Larus californicus): Journal of Zoology, v. 222, p. 375–389.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chiappe, L.M., Rivarola, D., Cione, A., Frenegal-Martinez, M., Sozzi, H., Buatois, L., Gallego, O., Laza, J., Romero, E., Lopez-Arbarello, A., Buscalioni, A., Marsicano, C., Adamonis, S., Ortega, F., McGehee, S., and Di Iorio, O., 1998, Biotic association and palaeoenvironmental reconstruction of the “Loma del Pterodaustro” fossil site (Early Cretaceous, Argentina): Geobios, v. 31, p. 349–369.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chinsamy, A., 1990, Physiological implications of the bone histology of Syntarsus rhodiesiensis (Saurischia: Theropoda): Palaeontographica Africana, v. 27, p. 77–82.Google Scholar
Chinsamy, A., Codorniú, L., and Chiappe, L., 2008, Developmental growth patterns of the filter-feeder pterosaur, Pterodaustro guinazui : Biology Letters, v. 4, p. 282–285.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Chinsamy, A., Codorniú, L., and Chiappe, L., 2009, Palaeobiological implications of the bone histology of Pterodaustro guinazui : Anatomical Record, v. 292, p. 1462–1477.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Codron, D., Carbone, C., Müller, D.W.H., and Clauss, M., 2012, Ontogenetic niche shifts in dinosaurs influenced size, diversity and extinction in terrestrial vertebrates: Biology Letters, v. 8, p. 620–623.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Codron, D., Carbone, C., and Clauss, M., 2013, Ecological interactions in dinosaur communities: influences of small offspring and complex ontogenetic life histories: PLoS ONE, v. 8 (10), e77110.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Dahlgren, C.P., and Eggleston, D.B., 2000, Ecological processes underlying ontogenetic habitat shifts in a coral reef fish: Ecology, v. 81, p. 2227–2240.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Daudin, F.M., 1802, Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière des Reptiles; ouvrage faisant suit à l’Histoire naturelle générale et particulière composée par Leclerc de Buffon; et rédigée par C. S. Sonnini, membre de plusierus sociétés savantes: Paris, F. Dufart, v. 2, p. 1–432.Google Scholar
Desmarest, A.G., 1820, Mammalogie ou description des espèce de mammifères. Part I. Encyclopèdie Méthodique: Paris, Agasse, 555 p.Google Scholar
Dial, K.P., and Jackson, B.E., 2011, When hatchlings outperform adults: locomotor development in Australian brush turkeys (Alectura lathami, Galliformes): Proceedings of the Royal Society B, v. 278, p. 1610–1616.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elangovan, V., Raghuram, H., Yuvana Satya Priya, E., and Marimuthu, G., 2004, Wing morphology and flight performance in Rousettus leschenaulti : Journal of Mammalogy, v. 85, p. 806–812.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Elangovan, V., Yuvana Satya Priya, E., Raghuram, H., and Marimuthu, G., 2007, Wing morphology and flight development in the short-nosed fruit bat Cynopterus sphinx : Zoology, v. 110, p. 189–196.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Everhart, M.J., 2005, Oceans of Kansas: A Natural History of the Western Interior Sea: Bloomington, Indiana, Indiana University Press, 344 p.Google Scholar
Fowler, D.W., Freedman Fowler, E.A., Scannella, J.B., and Horner, J.R., 2013, The influence of multi-niche ontogeny on differential survivorship across the K-Pg boundary: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, SVP Program and Abstracts Book, v., 2013, p. 129.Google Scholar
Francillon-Vieillot, H., de Buffrénil, V., Castanet, J., Géraudie, J., Meunier, F.J., Sire, J.Y., Zylberberg, L., and Ricqlès, A. de, 1990, Microstructure and mineralization of vertebrate skeletal tissues, in Carter, J.G., ed., Skeletal Biomineralization: Patterns, Processes and Evolutionary Trends: New York, Van Nostrand Reinhold, p. 175–234.Google Scholar
Frey, E., Meyer, C.A., and Tischlinger, H., 2011, The oldest azhdarchoid pterosaur from the Late Jurassic Solnhofen Limestone (Early Tithonian) of Southern Germany: Swiss Journal of Geosciences, v. 104 (Supplement 1), p. 35–55.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gignac, P.M., and Erickson, G.M., 2015, Ontogenetic changes in dental form and tooth pressures facilitate developmental niche shifts in American alligators: Journal of Zoology, v. 295, p. 132–142.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gill, J.R., Cobban, W.A., and Schultz, L.G., 1972, Stratigraphy and composition of the Sharon Springs Member of the Pierre Shale in western Kansas: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper, v. 728, 50 p.Google Scholar
Goldfuss, A., 1831, Beiträge zur Kenntnis verschiedener Reptilien der Vorwelt: Nova acta Academiae caesareae Leopoldino-Carolinae germanicae naturae curiosorum, v. 15, p. 61–128.Google Scholar
Gray, J.E., 1831, The Zoological Miscellany. To Be Continued Occasionally: Pt. 1, London, Treuttel, Wurtz and Co. CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Grellet-Tinner, G., Thompson, M.B., Fiorelli, L.E., Argañaraz, E., Codorniú, L., and Hechenleitner, E.M., 2014, The first pterosaur 3-D egg: implications for Pterodaustro guinazui nesting strategies, an Albian filter feeder pterosaur from central Argentina: Geoscience Frontiers, v. 5, p. 759–765.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Harksen, J.C., 1966, Pteranodon sternbergi, a new pterodactyl from the Niobrara Cretaceous of Kansas: Proceedings, South Dakota Academy of Science, v. 45, p. 74–77.Google Scholar
Hattin, D.E., 1982, Stratigraphy and depositional environment of Smoky Hill Chalk Member, Niobrara Chalk (Upper Cretaceous) of the type area, western Kansas: Kansas Geological Survey, Bulletin, v. 225, l08 p.Google Scholar
Henderson, D.M., 2010, Pterosaur body mass estimates from three-dimensional mathematical slicing: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, v. 30, 768–785.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hone, D.W.E., and Henderson, D.M., 2013, The posture of floating pterosaurs: Ecological implications for inhabiting marine and freshwater habitats: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 394, p. 89–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Isaac, S.S., and Μarimuthu, G., 1997, Development of wing morphology in the Indian Pygmy Bat Pipistrellus mimus : Journal of Biosciences, v. 22, p. 193–202.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jouve, S., 2004, Description of the skull of a Ctenochasma (Pterosauria) from the Latest Jurassic of Eastern France, with a taxonomic revision of European Tithonian Pterodactyloidea: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, v. 24, p. 542–554.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kellner, A.W.A., 1984, Ocurrencia de uma mandibula de pterosauria (Brasileodactylus araripensis, nov. gen., nov. sp.) na formacao Santana, Cretaceo da Chapada do Araripe, Ceara—Brasil: Anais do XXXIII Congresso Brasileira de Geologia, Rio de Janeiro, v. 2, p. 578–590.Google Scholar
Kellner, A.W.A., 2010, Comments on the Pteranodontidae (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) with the description of two new species: Anais de Academia Brasileira de Ciencias, v. 82, p. 1063–1084.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kellner, A.W.A., and Tomida, Y., 2000, Description of a new species of Anhangueridae (Pterodactyloidea) with comments on the pterosaur fauna from the Santana Formation (Aptian–Albian), Northeastern Brazil: National Science Museum Monographs, National Science Museum, Tokyo, v. 17, 135 p.Google Scholar
Kellner, A.W.A., Campos, D.A., Sayão, J.M., Saraiva, A.A.F., Rodrigues, T., Oliveira, G., Cruz, L.A., Costa, F.R., Silva, H.P., and Ferreira, J.S., 2013, The largest flying reptile from Gondwana: a new specimen of Tropeognathus cf. T. mesembrinus Wellnhofer, 1987 (Pterodactyloidea, Anhangueridae) and other large pterosaurs from the Romualdo Formation, Lower Cretaceous, Brazil: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, v. 85, p. 113–135.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Lawrence, G.N., 1854, Description of a new species of bird of the genus Larus Linnaeus: Annals of Lyceum of Natural History of New York, v. 6, p. 79–80.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lichtenstein, M.G.G., 1822, Die Werke von Marcgrave und Piso uber die Naturgeschichte Brasiliens, erlautert aus den wieder aufgefundenen Originalzeichnungen. Abbildungen. IV. Fische: Abhandlungen der physikalischen (-mathematischen) Klasse der Koeniglich-Preussischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. (1820–1821), p. 267–288.Google Scholar
Lü, J., Unwin, D.M., Deeming, D.C., Jin, X., Liu, Y., and Ji, Q., 2011, An egg-adult association, gender, and reproduction in pterosaurs: Science, v. 331, p. 321–324.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Maisey, J.G., ed., 1991, Santana Fossils: An Illustrated Atlas: Neptune City, New Jersey, T.F.H. Publications, Inc., 459 p.Google Scholar
Manzig, P.C., Kellner, A.W.A., Weinschütz, L.C., Fragoso, C.E., Vega, C.S., Guimarães, G.B., Godoy, L.C., Liccardo, A., Ricetti, J.H.C., and Moura, C.C., 2014, Discovery of a rare pterosaur bone bed in a Cretaceous desert with insights on ontogeny and behavior of flying reptiles: PLoS ONE, v. 9(8), e100005.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marsh, O.C., 1871, Note on a new and gigantic species of pterodactyle: American Journal of Science, Series 3, v. 1, p. 472.Google Scholar
Marsh, O.C., 1876, Notice of a new sub-order of Pterosauria: American Journal of Sciences, ser. 3, v. 11, p. 507–509.Google Scholar
Martin-Silverstone, E., Glasier, J.R.N., Acorn, J.H., Mohr, S., and Currie, P.J., 2017, Reassessment of Dawndraco kanzai Kellner, 2010 and reassignment of the type specimen to Pteranodon sternbergi Harksen, 1966: Vertebrate Anatomy Morphology Palaeontology, v. 3, 47–59.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meyer, C.E.H.v., 1834, Gnathosaurus subulatus, ein Saurus aus dem lithographischen Schiefer von Solnhofen. Museum Senckenbergianum: Abhandlungen aus dem Gebiete der beschreibenden Naturgeschichte, p. 1–26.Google Scholar
Meyer, C.E.H.v., 1856, Briefliche Mitteilung: Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geognosie. Geologie, und Petrofakten-Kunde, Jahrgang, v. 1856, p. 824–829.Google Scholar
Meyer, C.E.H.v., 1860, Zur Fauna der Vorwelt. Vierte Abteilung: Reptilien aus dem lithographischen Schiefer des Jura in Deutschland und Frankreich: Frankfurt am Main, Heinrich Keller, v. 2, p. 85–144.Google Scholar
Nesov, L.A., 1984, Pterozavry i ptetzy pozdnego mela Sredney Azii: Paleontologicheskiy Zhurnal (Akademiya Nauk SSSR), v. 1984, p. 47–57.Google Scholar
Nicholls, E.L., and Russell, A.P., 1990, Paleobiogeography of the Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway of North America: the vertebrate evidence: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 79, p. 149–169.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Padian, K., Horner, J.R., and Ricqlès, A. de, 2004, Growth in small dinosaurs and pterosaurs: the evolution of archosaurian growth strategies: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, v. 24, p. 555–571.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Pinheiro, F.L., and Rodrigues, T., 2017, Anhanguera taxonomy revisited: is our understanding of Santana Group pterosaur diversity biased by poor biological and stratigraphic control?: PeerJ, v. 5, e3285; DOI: 10.7717/peerj.3285.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Prámparo, M.B., Ballent, S.C., Gallego, O.F., and Milana, J.P., 2005, Paleontología de la Formación Lagarcito (Cretácico inferior) en la provincia de San Juan, Argentina: Ameghiniana, v. 42, p. 93–114.Google Scholar
Price, L.I., 1971, A presença de Pterosauria no Cretáceo inferior da Chapada do Araripe, Brasil: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias, v. 43 (Supplement), p. 451–461.Google Scholar
Prondvai, E., Stein, K., Ösi, A., and Sander, M.P., 2012, Life history of Rhamphorhynchus inferred from bone histology and the diversity of pterosaurian growth strategies: PLoS ONE, v. 7(2), e31392.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pugesek, B.H., 1983, The relationship between parental age and reproductive effort in the California Gull): Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, v. 13, p. 161–171.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Radder, R.S., Warner, D.A., Cuervo, J.J., and Shine, R., 2007, The functional significance of residual yolk in hatchling lizards Amphibolurus muricatus (Agamidae): Functional Ecology, v. 21, p. 302–309.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Rodrigues, T., and Kellner, A.W.A., 2013, Taxonomic review of the Ornithocheirus complex (Pterosauria) from the Cretaceous of England: ZooKeys, v. 308, p. 1–112.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Saraiva, A.A.F., Hessel, M.H., Guerra, N.C., and Fara, E., 2007, Concreções calcárias da Formação Santana, Bacia do Araripe: uma proposta de classificação: Estudos Geológicos, v. 17, p. 40–57.Google Scholar
Sömmerring, S.T.v., 1812, Über einen Ornithocephalus : Denkschriften der Königlich Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. Mathematisch-Physikalische Klasse, v. 3, p. 89–158.Google Scholar
Starck, J.M., and Ricklefs, R.E., 1998, Patterns of development: the altricial–precocial spectrum, in Starck, J.M., and Ricklefs, R.E., eds., Avian growth and development. Evolution within the altricial precocial spectrum: Oxford Ornithology Series: New York, Oxford University Press, v. 8, p. 3–30.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stewart, J.D., 1990, Niobrara Formation vertebrate stratigraphy, in Bennett, S.C., ed., Niobrara Chalk Excursion Guidebook, 1990 Annual Meeting, Society of Vertebrate Paleontology: Kansas Geological Survey, Open-file Report 90-60, p., 19–30.Google Scholar
Subalusky, A.L., Fitzgerald, L.A., and Smith, L.L., 2009, Ontogenetic niche shifts in the American Alligator establish functional connectivity between aquatic systems: Biological Conservation, v. 142, p. 1507–1514.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tomašević Kolarov, N., Ivanović, A., and Kalezić, M. L., 2011, Morphological integration and ontogenetic niche shift: a study of crested newt limbs: Journal of Experimental Zoology B, v. 316, p. 296–305.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tucker, J.K., Filoramo, N.I., Paukstis, G.L., and Janzen, F.J., 1998, Residual yolk in captive and wild-caught hatchlings of the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans): Copeia, v. 1998, p. 488–492.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Tumarkin-Deratzian, A.R., 2007, Fibrolamellar bone in wild adult Alligator mississippiensis : Journal of Herpetology, v. 41, p. 341–345.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Unwin, D.M., 2006, The Pterosaurs from Deep Time: New York, Pi Press, 347 p.Google Scholar
Unwin, D.M., and Deeming, D.C., 2008, Pterosaur eggshell structure and its implications for pterosaur reproductive biology: Zitteliana, v. 28, p. 199–207.Google Scholar
Vahl, M., 1797, Beskrivelse pa tre nye arter flagermuse: Skrifter Naturhistorie-Selskabet Copenhagen, v. 4, p. 121–138.Google Scholar
Van Dyke, J.U., Plummer, M.V., and Beaupre, S.J., 2011, Residual yolk energetics and postnatal shell growth in Smooth Softshell Turtles, Apalone mutica : Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology, Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, v. 158, p. 37–46.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Veldmeijer, A.J., 2002, Pterosaurs from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil in the Stuttgart collection: Stuttgarter Beiträge zur Naturkunde, Serie B (Geologie und Paläontologie), v. 327, p. 1–27.Google Scholar
Veldmeijer, A.J., 2003a, Description of Coloborhynchus spielbergi sp. nov. (Pterodactyloidea) from the Albian (Lower Cretaceous) of Brazil: Scripta Geologica, v. 125, p. 35–139.Google Scholar
Veldmeijer, A.J., 2003b, Preliminary description of a skull and wing of a Brazilian Cretaceous (Santana Formation; Aptian–Albian) pterosaur (Pterodactyloidea) in the collection of the AMNH: PalArch’s Journal of Vertebrate Palaeontology, 0, v. 0, p. 1–13.Google Scholar
Veldmeijer, A.J., Signore, M., and Meijer, H., 2005, Brasileodactylus (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea, Anhangueridae); an update: Cranium, v. 22, p. 45–54.Google Scholar
Veldmeijer, A.J., Meijer, H.J.M., and Signore, M., 2009, Description of pterosaurian (Pterodactyloidea: Anhangueridae, Brasileodactylus) remains from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil: Deinsea, v. 13, p. 9–40.Google Scholar
Vidovic, S.U., and Martill, D.M., 2014, Pterodactylus scolopaciceps Meyer, 1860 (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) from the Upper Jurassic of Bavaria, Germany: the problem of cryptic pterosaur taxa in early ontogeny: PLoS ONE, v. 9(10) e110646.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wagner, A., 1837, Beschreibung eines neu entdeckten Ornithocephalus (O. Kochi): Abhandlungen der Königlichen Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München, v. 2, p. 165–198.Google Scholar
Wagner, A., 1861, Charakteristik einer neuen Flugeidechse, Pterodactylus elegans : Sitzungsberichte der Königlichen Bayerischen Akademie der Wissenschaften zu München, Jahrgang 1861, v. 1, p. 363–365.Google Scholar
Wang, X., Kellner, A.W.A., Jiang, S., Wang, Q., Ma, Y., Paidoula, Y., Cheng, X., Rodrigues, T., Meng, X., Zhang, J., Ning, L., and Zhonghe, Z., 2014, Sexually dimorphic tridimensionally preserved pterosaurs and their eggs from China: Current Biology, v. 24, p. 1323–1330.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wellnhofer, P., 1970, Die Pterodactyloidea (Pterosauria) der Oberjura-Plattenkalke Süddeutschlands: Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften, Mathematisch-Wissenschaftlichen Klasse, Abhandlungen, v. 141, p. 1–133.Google Scholar
Wellnhofer, P., 1975, Die Rhamphorhynchoidea (Pterosauria) der Oberjura-Plattenkalke Süddeutschlands: Palaeontographica A, v. 148, p. 1–33, 132–186, v. 149, p. 1–30.Google Scholar
Wellnhofer, P., 1985, Neue Pterosaurier aus der Santana-Formation der Chapada do Araripe, Brasilien: Palaeontographica A, v. 187, p. 105–182.Google Scholar
Wellnhofer, P., 1987, New crested pterosaurs from the Lower Cretaceous of Brazil: Mitteilung der Bayerischen Staatssammlung für Paläontologie und historische Geologie, v. 27, 175–186.Google Scholar
Wellnhofer, P., 1991a, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Pterosaurs: London, Salamander Books, Ltd., 192 p.Google Scholar
Wellnhofer, P., 1991b, Weitere Pterosaurierfunde aus der Santana-Formation (Apt) der Chapada do Araripe, Brasilien: Palaeontographica A, v. 215, p. 43–101.Google Scholar
Werner, E.E., and Gilliam, J.F., 1984, The ontogenetic niche and species interactions in size-structured populations: Annual Review of Ecology and Systematics, v. 15, p. 393–425.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williston, S.W., 1903, On the osteology of Nyctosaurus (Nyctodactylus), with notes on American pterosaurs: Field Columbian Museum Publications, Geological Series, v. 2, p. 125–163.Google Scholar
Wiman, C., 1925, Über Pterodactylus Westmanni und andere Flugsaurier: Bulletin of the Geological Institution of the University of Uppsala, v. 20, p. 1–38.Google Scholar
Witton, M. P., 2013, Pterosaurs: Natural History, Evolution, Anatomy: Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 291 p.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wolanski, N.J., Renema, R.A., Robinson, F.E., Carney, V.L., and Fancher, B.I., 2007, Relationships among egg characteristics, chick measurements, and early growth traits in ten broiler breeder strains: Poultry Science, v. 86, p. 1784–1792.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Woodward, A.S., 1902–1912, The Fossil Fishes of the English Chalk: London, Palaeontographical Society, 406 p.Google Scholar
Woodward, H.N., Horner, J.R., and Farlow, J.O., 2011, Osteohistological evidence for determinate growth in the American Alligator: Journal of Herpetology, v. 45, p. 339–342.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Woodward, H.N., Horner, J.R., and Farlow, J.O., 2014, Quantification of intraskeletal histovariability in Alligator mississippiensis and implications for vertebrate osteohistology: PeerJ, v. 2, e422; DOI 10.7717/peerj.422.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wroughton, R.C., 1899, Some Konkan bats: Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society, v. 12, p. 716–725.Google Scholar