Figure 1.
Reconstructed skeleton of Zhejiangopterus linhaiensis based on [40] and [47].
Scale bar represents 500 mm.
Figure 2.
Table 1.
Geological context of azhdarchid fossils.
Figure 3.
A, occipital region of Hatzegopteryx (modified from [7]), B, reconstruction of Quetzalcoatlus sp. based on photographs in [25]; C, Zhejiangoperus (modified from [40]); D, mandible of Bakonydraco (modified from [6]); Scale bars represent 100 mm.
Figure 4.
Azhdarchid cervical vertebrae.
A–C, Quetzalcoatlus cervical vertebrae 3–5; D, Phosphatodraco cervical series in situ (after [47]). Scale bars represent 100 mm.
Figure 5.
A, reconstructed planform of Quetzalcoatlus (wing shape derived from the ‘dark wing’ Rhamphorhynchus: see [91]); B, planform of the dynamically soaring wandering albatross (Diomedea exulans); C, planform of the statically soaring Andean condor (Vultur gryphus). Images not to scale.
Figure 6.
The probable azhdarchid trace fossil Haenamichnus uhangriensis.
A, the 7.3 m trackway CNUPH.P9; B, H. uhangriensis holotype (CNUPH.P2), manus (top) and pes (bottom) prints. Modified from [46]. Scale bars represent 1 m (A) and 100 mm (B).
Figure 7.
Suggested modern analogues of azhdarchids.
A, anterior premaxilla of the western sandpiper (Calidris mauri) showing densely packed Herbst corpuscles, dorsal view [after 110]; B, skull of the probing common snipe (Gallinago gallinago); C, skull of the black skimmer (Rynchops nigra) ; D, skull of the northern ground hornbill (Bucorvus abyssinicus). Scale bars represent 1 mm (A) and 10 mm (B–D).
Figure 8.
Reconstructed feeding posture of an azhdarchid with sagittally aligned limbs, as evidenced by [46].
The blue line indicates the dorsal and cervical column; note how the long jaws require little flexion of the forelimb to be lowered to the ground and how only moderate flexion of the anterior cervical series would lower the jaws fully. Letters denote approximate angles used in this reconstruction; a, 30°; b, 80°; c, 120°; d; 35°; e, 145°.
Figure 9.
Life restoration of a group of giant azhdarchids, Quetzalcoatlus northropi, foraging on a Cretaceous fern prairie.
A juvenile titanosaur has been procured by one pterosaur, while the others stalk through the scrub in search of small vertebrates and other foodstuffs.