A new ctenochasmatoid pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China

A new ctenochasmatoid pterosaur, Gladocephaloideus jingangshanensis gen. et sp. nov. from the Yixian Formation of western Laioning Province is erected based on a complete skull and partial postcranial skeleton. It is characterized by following features: about 50 total teeth with sharp tips; small nasoantorbital opening, occupying approximately 13% of the skull length; ratio of prenarial length to skull length approximately 0.63. The diagnoses of the Ctenochasmatoidea and Gallodactylidae are amended based on the new taxon. Gladocephaloideus jingangshanensis is the first gallodactylid pterosaur found in Asia. Its discovery not only provides much more osteological information about the Gallodactylidae but also indicates that the ctenochasmatoid pterosaurs were highly diverse in the Early Cretaceous. The filamentous structures preserved near the dorsal and posterior margins of the posterior portion of the skull and around the neck indicate that it had an epidermal covering and may have been a warm-blooded animal.

► We amended the diagnoses of Ctenochasmatoidea and Gallodactylidae based on the new taxon- Gladocephalus jingangshanensis.
► The new taxon was discovered from the Early Cretaceous Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China.
► The new taxon provides much more osteological information about the Gallodactylidae. It also indicates that the ctenochasmatoid pterosaurs reached a high diversity in the Early Cretaceous.