Neck biomechanics indicate that giant Transylvanian azhdarchid pterosaurs were short-necked arch predators

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,

²

,

³

2025

Abstract

Smart CitationsHow this paper cites the one you are viewing

“…This is evidenced from the clithridiate (“keyhole-shaped”) neural canals found in Arambourgiania philadelphiae ( Martill et al, 1998 ), cf. Hatzegopteryx thambema (see Naish & Witton, 2017 ), the Pui azhdarchid ( Vremir et al, 2015 ), Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni (see Andres & Langston, 2021 ), Gobiazhdarcho tsogtbaatari (present work), and Nipponopterus mifunensis ( Zhou et al, 2024 ). Non-quetzalcoatlidan azhdarchids exhibit circular neural canal openings; whether an accessory foramen is present, as in Azhdarcho lancicollis ( Nessov, 1984 ; Averianov, 2010 ) and Phosphatodraco mauritanicus ( Longrich et al, 2018 ), or absent (entirely lost), as in the Bakony azhdarchid specimens MTMGyn/448 and MTMGyn/450 ( Ősi & Weishampel, 2005 ) and Mistralazhdarcho maggi ( Vullo et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussion

mentioning

confidence: 69%

Azhdarchid pterosaur diversity in the Bayanshiree Formation, Upper Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia

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,

²

,

³

2025

Abstract

Smart CitationsHow this paper cites the one you are viewing

“…This is evidenced from the clithridiate (“keyhole-shaped”) neural canals found in Arambourgiania philadelphiae ( Martill et al, 1998 ), cf. Hatzegopteryx thambema (see Naish & Witton, 2017 ), the Pui azhdarchid ( Vremir et al, 2015 ), Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni (see Andres & Langston, 2021 ), Gobiazhdarcho tsogtbaatari (present work), and Nipponopterus mifunensis ( Zhou et al, 2024 ). Non-quetzalcoatlidan azhdarchids exhibit circular neural canal openings; whether an accessory foramen is present, as in Azhdarcho lancicollis ( Nessov, 1984 ; Averianov, 2010 ) and Phosphatodraco mauritanicus ( Longrich et al, 2018 ), or absent (entirely lost), as in the Bakony azhdarchid specimens MTMGyn/448 and MTMGyn/450 ( Ősi & Weishampel, 2005 ) and Mistralazhdarcho maggi ( Vullo et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussion

mentioning

confidence: 69%

Resistance of cervical vertebrae in response to muscular stresses in pterosaurs: implications for foraging habits and skeletal pneumatization

Buchmann

¹

,

Rodrigues

²

2025

Abstract

Smart CitationsHow this paper cites the one you are viewing

“…Conversely, in Azhdarcho lancicollis the neck was more verticalized and had higher stresses on both ends, being compatible with terrestrial habits that require raising the head during swallowing ( Witton & Naish, 2008 ; Witton & Naish, 2013 ; Naish & Witton, 2017 ). Additionally, reducing stresses in the long mid-cervical vertebrae could favor attack dexterity, as the sinuosity between the cranial and caudal third of the neck creates tensional integrity ( Furet et al, 2018 ; Fasquelle et al, 2019 ; Buchmann & Rodrigues, 2024a ).…”

Section: Discussion

mentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Additionally, reducing stresses in the long mid-cervical vertebrae could favor attack dexterity, as the sinuosity between the cranial and caudal third of the neck creates tensional integrity ( Furet et al, 2018 ; Fasquelle et al, 2019 ; Buchmann & Rodrigues, 2024a ). The tubular morphology of the mid-cervicals allows a wide distribution of stresses, being consistent with the execution of slow and longer-lasting movements, which could occur after pulling food when removing portions of a prey ( Bowman et al, 1994 ; Witton & Naish, 2008 ; Naish & Witton, 2017 ; Buchmann & Rodrigues, 2025 ).…”

Section: Discussion

mentioning

confidence: 72%

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

Cryodrakon boreas, gen. et sp. nov., a Late Cretaceous Canadian azhdarchid pterosaur

Hone

¹

,

Habib

²

,

Therrien

³

2019

Abstract

Smart CitationsHow this paper cites the one you are viewing

“…In the case of Cryodrakon, this taxon clearly has elongate midcervical vertebrae and would fit into the better-know morph of long-necked azhdarchids. The longest well preserved vertebrae here have centra that are approximately five times longer than wide which is considerably greater than those of the short-necked Hatzegopteryx (Naish and Witton 2017).…”

Section: Bauplan

mentioning

confidence: 67%

Azhdarchid pterosaur diversity in the Bayanshiree Formation, Upper Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia

¹

,

²

,

³

2025

Abstract

Smart CitationsHow this paper cites the one you are viewing

“…This is evidenced from the clithridiate (“keyhole-shaped”) neural canals found in Arambourgiania philadelphiae ( Martill et al, 1998 ), cf. Hatzegopteryx thambema (see Naish & Witton, 2017 ), the Pui azhdarchid ( Vremir et al, 2015 ), Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni (see Andres & Langston, 2021 ), Gobiazhdarcho tsogtbaatari (present work), and Nipponopterus mifunensis ( Zhou et al, 2024 ). Non-quetzalcoatlidan azhdarchids exhibit circular neural canal openings; whether an accessory foramen is present, as in Azhdarcho lancicollis ( Nessov, 1984 ; Averianov, 2010 ) and Phosphatodraco mauritanicus ( Longrich et al, 2018 ), or absent (entirely lost), as in the Bakony azhdarchid specimens MTMGyn/448 and MTMGyn/450 ( Ősi & Weishampel, 2005 ) and Mistralazhdarcho maggi ( Vullo et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussion

mentioning

confidence: 69%

Resistance of cervical vertebrae in response to muscular stresses in pterosaurs: implications for foraging habits and skeletal pneumatization

Buchmann

¹

,

Rodrigues

²

2025

Abstract

Smart CitationsHow this paper cites the one you are viewing

“…Conversely, in Azhdarcho lancicollis the neck was more verticalized and had higher stresses on both ends, being compatible with terrestrial habits that require raising the head during swallowing ( Witton & Naish, 2008 ; Witton & Naish, 2013 ; Naish & Witton, 2017 ). Additionally, reducing stresses in the long mid-cervical vertebrae could favor attack dexterity, as the sinuosity between the cranial and caudal third of the neck creates tensional integrity ( Furet et al, 2018 ; Fasquelle et al, 2019 ; Buchmann & Rodrigues, 2024a ).…”

Section: Discussion

mentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Additionally, reducing stresses in the long mid-cervical vertebrae could favor attack dexterity, as the sinuosity between the cranial and caudal third of the neck creates tensional integrity ( Furet et al, 2018 ; Fasquelle et al, 2019 ; Buchmann & Rodrigues, 2024a ). The tubular morphology of the mid-cervicals allows a wide distribution of stresses, being consistent with the execution of slow and longer-lasting movements, which could occur after pulling food when removing portions of a prey ( Bowman et al, 1994 ; Witton & Naish, 2008 ; Naish & Witton, 2017 ; Buchmann & Rodrigues, 2025 ).…”

Section: Discussion

mentioning

confidence: 72%

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

Cryodrakon boreas, gen. et sp. nov., a Late Cretaceous Canadian azhdarchid pterosaur

Hone

¹

,

Habib

²

,

Therrien

³

2019

Abstract

Smart CitationsHow this paper cites the one you are viewing

“…In the case of Cryodrakon, this taxon clearly has elongate midcervical vertebrae and would fit into the better-know morph of long-necked azhdarchids. The longest well preserved vertebrae here have centra that are approximately five times longer than wide which is considerably greater than those of the short-necked Hatzegopteryx (Naish and Witton 2017).…”

Section: Bauplan

mentioning

confidence: 67%

Azhdarchid pterosaur diversity in the Bayanshiree Formation, Upper Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia

¹

,

²

,

³

2025

Abstract

Smart CitationsHow this paper cites the one you are viewing

“…This is evidenced from the clithridiate (“keyhole-shaped”) neural canals found in Arambourgiania philadelphiae ( Martill et al, 1998 ), cf. Hatzegopteryx thambema (see Naish & Witton, 2017 ), the Pui azhdarchid ( Vremir et al, 2015 ), Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni (see Andres & Langston, 2021 ), Gobiazhdarcho tsogtbaatari (present work), and Nipponopterus mifunensis ( Zhou et al, 2024 ). Non-quetzalcoatlidan azhdarchids exhibit circular neural canal openings; whether an accessory foramen is present, as in Azhdarcho lancicollis ( Nessov, 1984 ; Averianov, 2010 ) and Phosphatodraco mauritanicus ( Longrich et al, 2018 ), or absent (entirely lost), as in the Bakony azhdarchid specimens MTMGyn/448 and MTMGyn/450 ( Ősi & Weishampel, 2005 ) and Mistralazhdarcho maggi ( Vullo et al, 2018 ).…”

Section: Discussion

mentioning

confidence: 69%

Resistance of cervical vertebrae in response to muscular stresses in pterosaurs: implications for foraging habits and skeletal pneumatization

Buchmann

¹

,

Rodrigues

²

2025

Abstract

Smart CitationsHow this paper cites the one you are viewing

“…Conversely, in Azhdarcho lancicollis the neck was more verticalized and had higher stresses on both ends, being compatible with terrestrial habits that require raising the head during swallowing ( Witton & Naish, 2008 ; Witton & Naish, 2013 ; Naish & Witton, 2017 ). Additionally, reducing stresses in the long mid-cervical vertebrae could favor attack dexterity, as the sinuosity between the cranial and caudal third of the neck creates tensional integrity ( Furet et al, 2018 ; Fasquelle et al, 2019 ; Buchmann & Rodrigues, 2024a ).…”

Section: Discussion

mentioning

confidence: 70%

“…Additionally, reducing stresses in the long mid-cervical vertebrae could favor attack dexterity, as the sinuosity between the cranial and caudal third of the neck creates tensional integrity ( Furet et al, 2018 ; Fasquelle et al, 2019 ; Buchmann & Rodrigues, 2024a ). The tubular morphology of the mid-cervicals allows a wide distribution of stresses, being consistent with the execution of slow and longer-lasting movements, which could occur after pulling food when removing portions of a prey ( Bowman et al, 1994 ; Witton & Naish, 2008 ; Naish & Witton, 2017 ; Buchmann & Rodrigues, 2025 ).…”

Section: Discussion

mentioning

confidence: 72%

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

Cryodrakon boreas, gen. et sp. nov., a Late Cretaceous Canadian azhdarchid pterosaur

Hone

¹

,

Habib

²

,

Therrien

³

2019

Abstract

Smart CitationsHow this paper cites the one you are viewing

“…In the case of Cryodrakon, this taxon clearly has elongate midcervical vertebrae and would fit into the better-know morph of long-necked azhdarchids. The longest well preserved vertebrae here have centra that are approximately five times longer than wide which is considerably greater than those of the short-necked Hatzegopteryx (Naish and Witton 2017).…”

Section: Bauplan

mentioning

confidence: 67%