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Eudimorphodon

Eudimorphodon is a genus of small basal pterosaur, an extinct group of flying reptiles, that lived during the Late Triassic epoch around 215 to 205 million years ago in what is now Europe and Greenland.^[1] Known from multiple well-preserved specimens, it represents one of the earliest diverging members of the Pterosauria clade, characterized by a long bony tail, a slender skull with multicuspid teeth adapted for grasping prey, and elongated fourth finger supporting a wing membrane.^[2] The type species, Eudimorphodon ranzii, was named in 1973 based on a nearly complete articulated skeleton (holotype MCSNB 2888) discovered in the Norian-aged Zorzino Limestone Formation near Cene, Bergamo, Italy.^[1] This pterosaur measured approximately 1 meter in length from snout to tail tip, with a wingspan of about 1 meter and an estimated body mass of approximately 0.3 kilograms,^[3] making it one of the smallest known flying vertebrates of its time.^[4] Its skull featured a large triangular orbit, a square-shaped antorbital fenestra, and an inclined quadrate bone, while the dentition included up to 66 teeth—many with three to five cusps—in both upper and lower jaws, indicating specialized occlusion for processing food.^[1] Gut contents from the holotype, including scales of ganoid fish, confirm a predominantly piscivorous diet, though heavy dental wear suggests it may have also consumed harder prey like arthropods or small invertebrates seasonally.^[5] Fossils of Eudimorphodon exhibit ontogenetic variation, with juvenile specimens showing simpler conical teeth that transition to multicuspid forms in adults, highlighting rapid growth and dietary shifts early in life.^[2] Phylogenetically, it belongs to the family Eudimorphodontidae and is positioned near the base of pterosaur evolution, providing key insights into the origins of powered flight among archosauromorphs; its long tail and short neck are primitive traits retained from non-volant ancestors.^[4] Additional specimens, including possible synonyms like E. rosenfeldi and E. cromptonellus, have expanded its known distribution but underscore ongoing taxonomic debates.^[2]

Taxonomy and Discovery

Etymology

The genus name Eudimorphodon was coined by Italian paleontologist Rocco Zambelli in 1973, deriving from the Greek words eu- (meaning "true" or "good"), di- (two), morphos (form), and odous (tooth), collectively translating to "true two-formed tooth."^[1] This nomenclature highlights the distinctive dentition observed in the holotype specimen, discovered that same year near Bergamo, Italy, which features an alternation of large conical fangs and smaller multicuspid teeth, interpreted as two distinct morphological types.^[1] The species epithet ranzii honors Silvio Ranzi, an Italian zoologist and professor at the Università Statale di Milano, who contributed to early studies of Triassic reptiles and presented the new taxon at a scientific meeting in October 1973.^[1]

Discovery History

The first specimen of Eudimorphodon was discovered in 1973 by amateur collector Mario Pandolfi near the town of Cene in Bergamo Province, northern Italy, within limestone deposits of the Late Triassic (Norian stage) Zorzino Limestone Formation (Calcare di Zorzino, lower member).^[1] This nearly complete skeleton, designated as the holotype MCSNB 2888 and housed at the Civic Museum of Natural History in Bergamo (MCSNB), was formally described later that year by paleontologist Rocco Zambelli, who named the genus Eudimorphodon ranzii in honor of its distinctive dentition and the Italian zoologist Silvio Ranzi.^[1] Subsequent discoveries in Italy expanded the known material in the 1980s and 1990s. German paleontologist Rupert Wild provided a detailed anatomical description of the holotype in 1978 and later identified additional Italian specimens, including a juvenile skull (MPUM 7910) from the Norian of Bergamo Province.^[6] Italian researcher Fabio M. Dalla Vecchia further refined understandings through studies in the 1990s and 2000s, documenting more fragmentary remains such as an isolated sternum and elements from gastric pellets in the Norian Dolomia di Forni Formation of northeastern Italy.^[6]^[7] Tentative referrals outside Italy include a diminutive partial skeleton from the Late Triassic Fleming Fjord Formation in eastern Greenland, described in 2001 by Farish A. Jenkins Jr. and colleagues as possibly attributable to Eudimorphodon, though its generic assignment remains debated.^[8] Additionally, in 1986, Paul A. Murry reported unconfirmed jaw fragments with multicusped teeth from the Upper Triassic Dockum Group in western Texas, provisionally linked to Eudimorphodon based on dental similarities. In a 2015 review, Alexander W. A. Kellner reassessed Triassic pterosaur specimens, including those of Eudimorphodon, emphasizing ontogenetic stages and taxonomic refinements while confirming the significance of the Italian material.^[7]

Valid Species

The genus Eudimorphodon is currently recognized as monotypic, containing only the type species E. ranzii, which was erected in 1973 based on the holotype specimen MCSNB 2888, a nearly complete skeleton from the Late Triassic (Norian) Zorzino Limestone Formation near Cene, Italy.^[1] This species remains the sole valid member of the genus following subsequent taxonomic revisions that have excluded other nominally assigned taxa. The species Eudimorphodon rosenfeldi, originally described in 1995 from the holotype MFSN 1797 (a partial skeleton) collected from the Norian Dolomia di Forni Formation in Friuli (northeastern Italy), was reclassified as Carniadactylus rosenfeldi in 2009 due to diagnostic differences in postcranial anatomy, including a distinct configuration of the cervical vertebrae and pectoral girdle that could not be attributed to ontogenetic variation or intraspecific polymorphism. Similarly, Eudimorphodon cromptonellus, named in 2001 from the holotype MGUH VP 3393 (an incomplete skeleton) from the Late Triassic of Jameson Land, Greenland, was transferred to the new genus Arcticodactylus cromptonellus in 2014 following phylogenetic analysis that highlighted unique cranial and humeral features separating it from E. ranzii. Additional material potentially referable to Eudimorphodon has been reported but remains unassigned at the species level. The taxon Austriadraco dallavecchiai, based on the specimen BSP 1994 I 51 (disarticulated cranial and postcranial elements) from the Late Triassic (Norian) Polzberg locality in Austria, was initially considered a possible synonym of Eudimorphodon due to shared multicuspid dentition but was formally established as a distinct genus in 2015 based on autapomorphic traits in the jaw and limb proportions; it is no longer regarded as congeneric. Isolated teeth from the Late Triassic (Norian) Dockum Group in western Texas, described as Eudimorphodon sp. in 1986, include mandibular and maxillary fragments with multicuspid teeth (e.g., SMUSMP 69124 and 69125) but are unconfirmed as pterosaurian and may instead represent cynodont remains, pending further verification. More recently, isolated multicuspid teeth (NHMMZ PW 2025/9094-LS to 9096-LS) from a phytosaur-dominated bonebed in the Late Triassic (Rhaetian) Arnstadt Formation of the Bitburg-Prüm district, Germany, have been tentatively assigned to Eudimorphodon sp. (possibly E. ranzii) based on fluted enamel and cusp morphology; however, their isolated nature and poor preservation preclude definitive generic or specific identification at present.^[9] The validity of species within Eudimorphodon is determined primarily by the presence of autapomorphies, such as precise tooth counts (e.g., 28 multicuspid teeth in the maxilla and 25 in the dentary for E. ranzii), specific cranial proportions (e.g., elongate preorbital region), and unique postcranial features that distinguish taxa beyond ontogenetic stages or individual variation. These criteria have been applied in phylogenetic revisions to exclude material lacking such diagnostics, emphasizing the need for well-preserved, associated specimens to confirm assignments.

Description

Overall Size

Eudimorphodon exhibited a diminutive body plan typical of early pterosaurs, with adult specimens of the type species E. ranzii possessing an estimated wingspan of 75–100 cm, derived from measurements of the holotype (MCSNB 2888) and referred skeletons such as MPUM 13495. This range reflects variation among preserved individuals, with the largest known specimen approaching 100 cm based on limb bone proportions.^[4] The overall body length reached approximately 1 meter, incorporating a notably long, stiff tail that comprised a significant portion of the total, alongside a compact torso and elongated wing elements.^[10] The skull, triangular in outline and housing the characteristic multicuspid dentition, measured around 90 mm in length in mature individuals.^[10] Body mass estimates for E. ranzii fall below 1 kg, calculated through volumetric modeling of skeletal reconstructions, underscoring its lightweight, hollow-boned architecture optimized for aerial locomotion—analogous in scaling to small extant birds like pigeons, though with proportionally broader wings for enhanced lift.^[11] Juvenile specimens, such as MPUM 6009, were roughly half this linear scale, implying correspondingly lower masses.^[10] Fossil evidence provides no compelling indication of sexual dimorphism in overall size, as overlapping measurements across multiple specimens suggest intraspecific variation is more attributable to ontogeny or individual growth differences than sex-based distinctions.^[10]

Skull and Dentition

The skull of Eudimorphodon exhibits a tripartite structure, characterized by a short preorbital region, a large antorbital fenestra occupying over half the skull's length, and an elongated temporal region.^[12] The preorbital portion, formed primarily by the long premaxillae, is slender with a concave dorsal profile anteriorly.^[1] The antorbital fenestra is notably expansive, triangular in shape, and comparable in height to the large orbit, which features a sclerotic ring; the infratemporal fenestra is smaller, roughly the size of the naris.^[12] Posteriorly, the temporal region includes supratemporal fenestrae similar in size to the antorbital fenestra, with the quadrate inclined for enhanced jaw mobility.^[12] Dentition in Eudimorphodon is highly specialized and heterodont, unique among pterosaurs, with approximately 110 teeth total (about 55 per side across upper and lower jaws).^[12] Anteriorly, 4–5 large, conical fangs per side serve for grasping prey, with the premaxillary teeth robust and slightly recurved.^[1] Posteriorly, multicusped teeth dominate, including up to 11 tricuspid and 12–14 pentacuspid forms per maxillary ramus, featuring a prominent central cusp flanked by smaller lateral ones; these smaller teeth are densely packed for crushing.^[12] The lower jaw mirrors this pattern, with 2–4 fangs followed by 7–13 tricuspid and 12–14 pentacuspid teeth per side, all thecodont in implantation.^[12] Jaw mechanics demonstrate strong occlusion, evidenced by extensive wear facets on opposing teeth, particularly on fang tips and multicuspid occlusal surfaces, indicating forceful processing of prey.^[12] This arrangement, combined with anterior-posterior jaw movement and a streptostylic quadrate, facilitated precise biting and shearing.^[12] Piscivory is supported by fish scale impressions (from pholidophorid fish) preserved in the stomach region of the holotype specimen.^[12] Ontogenetic differences in dentition are evident, with juveniles possessing fewer teeth overall (e.g., 18 upper and 17 lower total) and simpler cusp morphology, such as more uniform multicuspid teeth without the fusion seen in adults.^[12] In adults, cusp complexity increases posteriorly, with enamel ridging enhancing durability, potentially reflecting a dietary shift from softer, insectivorous prey in youth to harder items like fish scales later in life.^[12]

Postcranial Features

The postcranial skeleton of Eudimorphodon displays lightweight construction typical of early pterosaurs, with hollow bones that contributed to reduced body mass.^[1] The overall build supports an aerial lifestyle while maintaining structural integrity for ground support. The axial skeleton includes eight elongated cervical vertebrae, enabling significant neck flexibility for maneuvering the head during flight or foraging.^[1] Dorsal vertebrae are shorter and more robust, transitioning to a series of caudals that form a long tail approximately half the body length, providing counterbalance. Although lacking the dense bundle of stiffening rods seen in more derived long-tailed pterosaurs like Rhamphorhynchus, the tail features overlapping elongated zygapophyses and chevrons that impart moderate rigidity for stability in the air.^[1] The pectoral girdle comprises a robust, short coracoid articulating with a long, strap-like scapula, forming a strong base for the attachment of flight musculature such as the supracoracoideus. This configuration, unfused in basal taxa like Eudimorphodon, anchors the elongated forelimbs, where the fourth metacarpal is markedly extended to support the patagium (wing membrane). Limb bone proportions yield a wingspan estimate of around 1 meter, underscoring its small size.^[1] The pelvic girdle is compact and lightweight, longer anteroposteriorly than tall, with imperforate acetabula formed by contributions from all three pelvic bones and broad ischiopubic plates that meet along their medial margins to close the pubic region.^[13] Hindlimbs are diminutive relative to the forelimbs, featuring a reduced femur and tibia, which together suggest a quadrupedal posture on the ground, with the hindlimbs primarily aiding in takeoff and landing rather than sustained terrestrial locomotion.^[1]

Paleobiology

Locomotion and Flight

The wings of Eudimorphodon were composed of a thin, multilayered membrane supported primarily by the elongated fourth digit, extending from the shoulder to the ankle and forming a broad, bat-like patagium reinforced by actinofibrils for stiffness and flexibility during folding. This structure yielded a high aspect ratio of approximately 5-6 and low wing loading of about 7 N/m², adaptations that enabled efficient gliding and maneuverability suited to its small size.^[14] Flight in Eudimorphodon likely involved powered flapping for short-distance travel and takeoff, with estimated gliding speeds of around 4 m/s at a shallow angle of 4°, allowing for hovering and agile aerial predation. Takeoff was facilitated by a quadrupedal launch from all fours, incorporating running and hopping motions to generate sufficient lift from its lightweight, pneumatic skeleton.^[14]^[15] Terrestrially, Eudimorphodon moved as a quadrupedal knuckle-walker, using a digitigrade manus and plantigrade pes to navigate varied substrates, while strong forelimbs supported prey capture; it could transition to bipedal running for brief, high-speed pursuits or escapes.^[14]^[16] Histological analysis of Eudimorphodon bones shows fibrolamellar tissue with moderate to high vascularization, reflecting rapid growth rates and a metabolically demanding, active lifestyle consistent with the energetic costs of flapping flight and ground-based foraging.^[17]^[18]

Diet and Feeding

Eudimorphodon exhibited a primarily piscivorous diet, targeting small fish such as pholidophorid species, as evidenced by ganoid fish scales preserved in the stomach contents of a specimen.^[19] The heterodont dentition, characterized by recurved, fang-like anterior teeth suited for grasping slippery prey and multicusped (tri- and pentacuspid) posterior teeth adapted for crushing scales and soft-bodied organisms, further supports this feeding ecology.^[20] Tooth wear facets on the multicuspid teeth, including labial and lingual erosion, suggest secondary consumption of hard-shelled invertebrates like crustaceans.^[20] Feeding strategies likely involved aerial interception or surface skimming over aquatic environments to capture prey, inferred from the jaw mechanics allowing rapid closure and quadrate mobility for precise strikes.^[20] Juvenile individuals, identified by smaller size and reduced tooth counts, probably shifted toward insectivory to accommodate smaller prey items during early growth stages.^[19] Anatomical evidence provides no support for herbivory or scavenging behaviors in Eudimorphodon.^[19]

Growth Patterns

Juvenile specimens of Eudimorphodon, such as MGUH VP 3393 from Greenland, display a smaller body size with an estimated wingspan of around 24 cm and a total tooth count of approximately 30, featuring smooth enamel and unfused cranial sutures that suggest ongoing rapid skeletal development.^[21] These features contrast with larger individuals, indicating an ontogenetic series where early growth phases prioritize quick expansion of the skeleton and dentition.^[6] As Eudimorphodon matured into adults, exemplified by the holotype MCSNB 2888, the wingspan expanded to about 1 m, and the total tooth count increased to roughly 110, with more complex multicuspid forms and ridged enamel appearing in larger jaws.^[21] Bone fusion in the skull, vertebrae, and limbs completed during this phase, marking skeletal maturity estimated at 1-2 years based on comparative ontogenetic patterns in basal pterosaurs.^[6] The growth trajectory of Eudimorphodon followed a fast, determinate strategy common among early pterosaurs, involving accelerated juvenile expansion followed by stabilization, with evidence of sexual maturity preceding maximum size derived from proportional changes in postcranial elements across specimens.^[6] Although direct histological data for Eudimorphodon remains limited, bone microstructure in contemporaneous Triassic pterosaurs reveals lines of arrested growth that imply annual pauses in deposition, supporting an overall lifespan of 5-10 years.^[22] Variations in dentition, such as increasing tooth number and cusp complexity with age, further underscore this rapid developmental progression.^[21]

Paleoecology

Geological Context

Eudimorphodon fossils date to the Late Triassic epoch, specifically the Norian stage, approximately 219 to 215 million years ago, with possible extension into the Rhaetian stage (ca. 208 to 201 million years ago).^[4] This temporal placement anchors the genus within the early diversification of pterosaurs during a period of significant tectonic activity and climatic shifts in the supercontinent Pangaea.^[4] The primary fossil-bearing formations for Eudimorphodon are located in the Bergamasc Alps of northern Italy, including the Calcare di Zorzino and the related Calcari di Cene, both consisting of lagoonal limestones deposited in shallow marine to peritidal environments.^[4] A tentative record comes from the Malmros Klint Member of the Fleming Fjord Formation in Greenland, representing lacustrine deposits of similar age.^[8] These strata reflect a depositional history tied to carbonate platforms along the Tethys Ocean margin.^[4] Taphonomic evidence indicates that Eudimorphodon specimens were preserved through rapid burial in calm, low-energy waters of lagoonal settings, resulting in exquisitely preserved, often articulated skeletons with minimal distortion and occasional soft-tissue impressions.^[23] This mode of preservation highlights the suitability of these fine-grained limestones for conserving delicate pterosaur anatomy.^[23] The age of these formations has been determined primarily through biostratigraphy, utilizing index fossils such as ammonites (e.g., from the Himavatites zone) and conodonts to correlate with the mid-Norian substage. These methods provide precise stratigraphic ties without reliance on radiometric dating for the specific localities.

Habitat and Distribution

Eudimorphodon inhabited coastal lagoons and shallow marine settings within the tropical to subtropical climates of the western Tethys Sea region during the Late Triassic Norian stage.^[24]^[4] These environments were characterized by quiet, normal marine conditions interspersed with restricted basins, as evidenced by the limestone deposits of the Calcare di Zorzino formation in northern Italy, where fine-grained sediments indicate low-energy, lagoonal waters influenced by nearby carbonate platforms.^[25]^[26] The geographic distribution of Eudimorphodon is confirmed in the Adriatic sector of northern Italy, particularly in the Lombardy and Friuli regions, and in central Europe, including the Northern Calcareous Alps of Austria (Tyrol).^[4]^[27] Possible occurrences are reported from Greenland in the Fleming Fjord Formation on the eastern North American plate, based on eudimorphodontid remains, though taxonomic assignment remains tentative following reclassification.^[8] Unconfirmed reports include jaw fragments with multicusped teeth from the Dockum Group in Texas, North America, suggesting potential but not definitive presence.^[28] The paleoclimate of these habitats was warm and humid, with episodes of seasonal aridity, as reconstructed from sedimentary facies in the Tethyan formations that show alternations between marine incursions and evaporitic conditions indicative of brackish waters.^[24]^[29] Dispersal across its range likely occurred along the extensive Pangaean coastlines, facilitated by its powered flight capabilities, enabling colonization of suitable coastal niches during the Norian.^[30]^[31]

Contemporaneous Fauna

The Calcare di Zorzino formation, where most Eudimorphodon specimens have been found, preserves a diverse assemblage of vertebrates indicative of a coastal, lagoonal environment during the Norian stage of the Late Triassic.^[32] Among the associated vertebrates, ray-finned fishes dominate the record, with over 50 genera identified, including pholidophorids such as Pholidophorus that likely served as potential prey for small pterosaurs due to their abundance and small size.^[32] Predatory fishes like Saurichthys and Birgeria, reaching lengths up to 180 cm, occupied higher trophic levels, while durophagous forms such as pycnodonts (Brembodus, Sargodon) fed on benthic mollusks, as evidenced by coprolites containing shell fragments.^[32] Reptilian associates include other early pterosaurs, such as Peteinosaurus from the same formation, representing one of the oldest known pterosaur genera, and Preondactylus from nearby Norian deposits in northern Italy, suggesting a diverse aerial niche for these flying reptiles.^[32] Aquatic and semi-aquatic reptiles are also present, notably the phytosaur Mystriosuchus, known from a nearly complete 4-meter-long skeleton in the uppermost levels of the Calcare di Zorzino, which likely inhabited the shallow marine basins as an opportunistic predator.^[33] Smaller, endemic reptiles like the arboreal Megalancosaurus and Drepanosaurus, as well as the aquatic Endennasaurus and placodont Psephoderma, further populated the ecosystem, exploiting insect, fish, and shellfish resources.^[32] In broader Norian European faunas, early dinosaurs such as Plateosaurus coexisted, though no dinosaur remains have been reported from the Calcare di Zorzino itself.^[25] Invertebrates in the lagoonal deposits include common epibenthic bivalves like Modiolus and Isognomon, which formed dense shell beds, along with crustaceans such as Triassphaeroma and Elioserolis, and echinoderms including the starfish Noriaster barberoi.^[32] Ammonites, though less abundant in the formation, are recorded in associated Norian lagoonal sediments, contributing to the benthic community.^[34] Within this coastal food web, Eudimorphodon likely functioned as a mid-level predator, targeting small fish like pholidophorids based on size overlaps and the prevalence of such prey in the deposits, though no direct evidence of predation exists.^[32] Potential competition for fish resources may have occurred with other small aerial or semi-aquatic predators, such as co-occurring pterosaurs or the piscivorous Mystriosuchus, in the shallow, anoxic-bottomed basins surrounded by ephemeral islands supporting terrestrial life.^[32]

Phylogeny

Evolutionary Relationships

Eudimorphodon occupies a basal position among pterosaurs, representing one of the earliest diverging lineages within the clade Pterosauria. Phylogenetic analyses consistently recover it as a member of the non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs, specifically within early-diverging groups that predate the more derived long-tailed rhamphorhynchoids. This placement underscores its role as a key taxon for understanding the initial radiation of flying archosauromorphs during the Late Triassic.^[35] Eudimorphodon is frequently positioned as the namesake genus of Eudimorphodontidae, a family of small-bodied, early pterosaurs characterized by shared derived features. Within this family, it serves as a sister taxon to genera such as Carniadactylus and Arcticodactylus, based on cladistic analyses incorporating cranial and postcranial morphology. Key synapomorphies supporting this grouping include multicuspid teeth adapted for grasping small prey. These traits highlight Eudimorphodontidae's transitional role between the most primitive pterosaurs and more specialized Jurassic lineages. Recent cladistic studies have refined Eudimorphodon's affinities, placing it within broader clades such as Novialoidea or Campylognathoididae. For instance, Baron (2020) recovered Eudimorphodon ranzii within Lonchognatha, specifically grouping it with Novialoidea and close to the Rhamphorhynchus lineage, based on expanded matrices including avemetatarsalian outgroups and refined character scoring. Other analyses support a campylognathoidid placement, emphasizing similarities in dentition and limb proportions with Campylognathoides. These positions reflect ongoing debates but converge on Eudimorphodon's proximity to early Jurassic pterosaurs, bridging Triassic origins with later diversification.^[35] As a basal pterosaur, Eudimorphodon shares primitive traits with non-pterosaurian relatives, such as the lagerpetids, which are considered the closest outgroup to Pterosauria. Comparative studies highlight shared features like elongated forelimbs and hindlimb proportions, suggestive of agile terrestrial locomotion preceding full flight adaptation. The multicuspid dentition of Eudimorphodon further exemplifies a primitive condition retained from archosauromorph ancestors.

Classification History

Eudimorphodon was initially described by Rocco Zambelli in 1973 based on a nearly complete skeleton from the Late Triassic (Norian) of northern Italy, where it was placed within the suborder Rhamphorhynchoidea due to shared features such as a long tail and multicusped teeth, though distinguished from Dimorphodontidae by its dentition pattern.^[1] In the late 1970s and 1980s, Rupert Wild provided further descriptions of specimens attributed to Eudimorphodon ranzii, reinforcing its Norian age and positioning it within Rhamphorhynchoidea; by 1984, Wild allied it specifically with Campylognathoides in the family Campylognathoididae based on similarities in cranial and postcranial morphology.^[6] During the 1990s, Fabio M. Dalla Vecchia described additional Italian material, including a new species Eudimorphodon rosenfeldi in 1995, and regarded the genus as a basal pterosaur outside more derived rhamphorhynchoid groups, emphasizing its primitive traits like the heterodont dentition.^[6] Revisions in the 2000s included the formal erection and refinement of the family Eudimorphodontidae to encompass Eudimorphodon and related forms, as detailed in phylogenetic analyses by David M. Unwin and Alexander W. A. Kellner in 2003, which highlighted its early divergence within non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs.^[4] Species-level taxonomy saw further splits, notably in 2009 when Dalla Vecchia reassigned E. rosenfeldi to the new genus Carniadactylus based on diagnostic differences in the palate and limb proportions.^[36] More recent assessments, such as Kellner's 2015 review of Triassic pterosaurs, reaffirmed Eudimorphodontidae's validity while discussing ontogenetic variations in specimens, and cladistic studies around 2020, including those by Dalla Vecchia, shifted Eudimorphodon toward a position within Novialoidea, supported by updated character matrices and broader taxon sampling that resolved prior ambiguities in early pterosaur relationships.^[7]^[37] The exact phylogenetic position of Eudimorphodon relative to Dimorphodon remains unresolved, with ongoing debate over whether it represents a sister taxon or a more basal form.^[38]

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After their origin in the Middle or Late Triassic, pterosaurs acquired a virtually global distribution and their remains are now known from every continent, ...
[29]
Climate drivers and palaeobiogeography of lagerpetids and early ...
Jun 18, 2025 · Pterosaurs were the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight, more than 60 million years before the earliest birds. However, our understanding ...
[30]
The Norian Fauna
At the beginning of the seventies, the first fossil locality in the upper Calcare di Zorzino (Zorzino Limestone = ZZ) was discovered near Cene (Bergamo) ...Missing: biostratigraphy | Show results with:biostratigraphy
[31]
a complete specimen of mystriosuchus (reptilia, phytosauria) from ...
Nov 30, 2003 · The skeleton, about 4 metres long, has been collected from the uppermost level of the Calcare di Zorzino (Norian, Upper Triassic) in the ...
[32]
Subsidence and Sedimentation on Jurassic Passive Continental ...
Sep 21, 2019 · ... (Calcare di Zorzino). The Norian is of surprisingly uniform thickness ... ammonites. A hardground, with ferromanganese crusts and ...
[33]
https://riviste.unimi.it/index.php/RIPS/article/view/5518
[34]
anatomy and systematics of the pterosaur carniadactylus gen. n ...
Jul 31, 2009 · DALLA VECCHIA, F. (2009) “ANATOMY AND SYSTEMATICS OF THE PTEROSAUR <em>CARNIADACTYLUS</em> GEN. N. <em>ROSENFELDI</em> (DALLA VECCHIA, 1995) ...
[35]
(PDF) Seazzadactylus venieri gen. et sp. nov., a new pterosaur ...
Aug 12, 2025 · A new non-monofenestratan pterosaur with multicusped dentition, Seazzadactylus venieri, is described from the Upper Triassic (middle-upper ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[36]
Testing pterosaur ingroup relationships through broader sampling of ...
Jul 28, 2020 · Dalla Vecchia (2019) also recovered all of these taxa together into a monophyletic group, but his analysis did not recover the same ...