Cryodrakon by PaleoEquii
Cryodrakon (meaning cold dragon) is a genus of azhdarchid pterosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period of Canada. The type species is Cryodrakon boreas.
Discovery and history[]
The holotype (TMP 1992.83) was found in the layers of Dinosaur Park Formation. additional materials were found with the genus, such as neck vertebrae (TMP 1996.12.369). In 2019, It was described as a new genus of pterosaur. The generic name combines "kyros" and "drakon", while the specific name is named after the Greek god of northern wind, Boreas.
Description[]
Most bones are similar with the Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni. It is proportionally similar to other azhdarchids, though it was probably slightly heavier by the robust bones. It is distinguished from other azhdarchids by having pneumatophores positioned near the lower edge of the neural canal, and having postexapophyses being prominent in width but short in length. It consists of a fragmented skeleton lacking the skull. The wingspan is 2 meters (6.6ft). It is the only pterosaur taxon to be ever found in Canada. It is from a juvenile fossil, which means it could have been larger in size when it was an adult.
Classification[]
Cryodrakon was placed in Azhdarchidae in 2019.
Gallery[]
