Lusognathus (meaning Lusitanian jaw) is an extinct genus of pterosaur that lived in Portugal in the Late Jurassic. the type species is Lusognathus almadrava.
Discovery and Naming[]
The holotype (ML 2554) was discovered by an amateur paleontologist Filipe Vieira. Then,Vieira donated the find to the museum. In March 2019, further excavations uncovered more materials. In 2023, Alexandra E. Fernandes,Victor Beccari,Alexander W.A. Kellner and Octávio Mateus described it as a new species of pterosaur. The generic name combines luso and gnathus, while the specific name is named after an elaborate fishing trap.
Description[]
It is the first pterosaur taxon in Portugal. The holotype contains fragmented premaxillary rostrum,fragmented maxillae,two fragmented teeth,and three of four cervical vertebrae which are also fragmented. It is one of the largest pterosaurs in Jurassic.The snout has a combined length of 20.2 centimeters (8 inches). The wingspan measures 60.8 centimeters (23.9 inches). The front of the premaxilla shows a rounded triangular expansion. The snout is flattened vertically. Each upper jaw side bears sixteen teeth, and the tooth enamel is completely smooth. There is no snout crest.
Classification[]
Fernandes classified it as a member of gnathosaurinae, as the sister taxon of two species of Gnathosaurus.
Paleobiology[]
It was not a filter feeder, but rather a piscivore.
Gallery[]
