In a groundbreaking discovery, paleontologists from China and Brazil have unveiled a new species of chaoyangopterid pterosaur, identified from two specimens. One of these specimens stands out as the most complete and exceptionally well-preserved chaoyangopterid ever found.

Life reconstruction of Meilifeilong youhao. Image credit: Maurilio Oliveira.

The new pterosaur ѕрeсіeѕ lived in what is now China during the Early Cretaceous epoch, between 125 and 113 million years ago.

The flying reptile belongs to Chaoyangopteridae, a family of medium-sized and high-crested pterosaurs mostly known from Asia.

Dubbed Meilifeilong youhao, the ѕрeсіeѕ was part of the Jehol Biota, a terrestrial and freshwater ecosystem preserved in a multi-layered rock formation in northeastern China.

“Pterosaurs, an intriguing group of Mesozoic flying reptiles, pioneered active flight among vertebrates, dominating aerial ecosystems for nearly 160 million years,” explained Dr. Xiaolin Wang from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with colleagues.

“Despite their extinction, they exhibited remarkable diversity, spanning from the Late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous period.”

“China stands out for yielding numerous specimens revealing not only new species but also entirely new clades, such as the azhdarchoid Chaoyangopteridae.”

“This Cretaceous group of medium-sized, high-crested pterosaurs is notably well-documented in the Jehol Biota, encompassing species like Chaoyangopterus zhangi and Shenzhoupterus chaoyangensis, which unveiled a new clade of toothless pterosaurs.”

The fossilized remains of two individuals of Meilifeilong youhao were discovered in the Jiufotang Formation in Huludao City, Liaoning Province, China.

“The holotype, representing an individual with a wingspan of approximately 2.16 meters (7.1 feet), is exceptionally well-preserved, comprising nearly all bones except for most of the tail, making it the most complete and well-preserved skeleton of a chaoyangopterid to date,” stated the paleontologists.

“The referred specimen consists solely of the premaxillae-maxillae and the anterior portion of the palatines, representing a smaller individual.”

Meilifeilong youhao’s size closely resembles Meilifeilong sanyainus (with a wingspan of 2.18 meters or 7.2 feet), suggesting they are distinct species of the same genus.

“This new species provides valuable insights into these enigmatic flying reptiles, including details of the palatal region and the rare preservation of the stapes,” added the researchers.

The team’s findings were published on December 21, 2023, in the journal Scientific Reports.