Lonchodectidae [SEP] parent taxon
Lonchodectidae
Lonchodectidae is a group of pterosaurs within the clade Pterodactyloidea. It has variously been considered to be within Ctenochasmatoidea, Azhdarchoidea and Pteranodontia. They are notable for their high, conical tooth sockets.
Lifestyle.
Both "Lonchodectes" and the unnamed "Chang'e" specimen showcase that lonchodectids had limb proportions similar to those of azhdarchoids and were probably terrestrial stalkers. They have rather specialised dentitions, however considered "Lonchodectes" to be a generalist feeder, akin to gulls, and "Prejanopterus" possesses a curved upper jaw
in 2013 suggested that it could belong to the Lonchodectidae. This would make "Unwindia" the largest known member of the Lonchodectidae, as well as the first species of that group to be identified from the Southern Hemisphere.
See also.
- List of pterosaur genera
- Timeline of pterosaur research