Remains of a Late Cretaceous pterosaur from the Molecap Greensand of Western Australia

Abstract

Pterosaur remains are very rare in Australasia and especially in Upper Cretaceous strata. Thus, the discovery of a jaw fragment from the Cenomanian–Coniacian Molecap Greensand near Gingin in Western Australia represents an important new stratigraphical occurrence for the region. Although the teeth are not preserved, the presence of labio-lingually compressed alveoli that are anterolaterally oriented, variable in shape/size (inferring heterodonty) and very widely spaced is reminiscent of ornithocheirids—a geographically cosmopolitan clade of predominantly Early Cretaceous pterodactyloids. If correct, this identification could extend the known range of Ornithocheiridae through to the Late Cretaceous in the Southern Hemisphere.

Key words:

• Ornithocheiridae
• Biogeography
• Molecap Greensand
• Cenomanian–Coniacian
• high-latitude
• Gondwana

Acknowledgements

Thanks to David Unwin and Alexander Kellner for their constructive reviews and Stephen McLoughlin for his helpful editorial comments. This work was supported financially by The Australian Research Council, La Trobe University and the Western Australian Museum.