Fossil Products and Pterosaur Characteristics

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to fossil products, feeding adaptations, and the morphology of pterosaurs and crocodilians.

Archetypal morphification

The process by which certain traits or forms are seen as the model or standard for a particular group or lineage.

Frodocephia

A robust morphotype that may suggest predatory behavior in certain fossil reptiles.

Aquatic feeding adaptations

Features that assist animals in catching and consuming prey in water, such as narrow or elongated snouts.

Hyper-carnivores

Organisms that primarily consume flesh, often almost exclusively from animal sources.

Proto-suchia

A group of reptiles that are ancestors to modern crocodilians, characterized by their crocodile-like morphology.

Neocrocodylia

The clade that includes modern crocodiles and their direct ancestors.

Teleosauridae

An extinct family of marine reptiles that were similar in morphology to modern crocodiles.

Pterosauria

An order of flying reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic era, known for their distinct wing structure.

Propatagium

The membrane that stretches from the body to the wing of a pterosaur, providing lift during flight.

Cervical vertebrae

The bones that make up the neck region of vertebrates, important for mobility and support.

Dimorphism

The occurrence of two distinct forms or morphologies in the same species, often in relation to males and females.

Rhinodira

Taxonomic group that includes pterosaurs and dinosaurs, distinguished by specific morphological features.

Elongate skulls

Skulls that are longer than typical, which may indicate adaptations to specific feeding strategies.

Hollow bones

A characteristic of certain flying reptiles that reduces weight while maintaining structural integrity.

Dorsal ridges

Structural features that may provide support or flexibility to the membranes of pterosaurs.

Urophagy

The consumption of waste materials, typically not characteristic of typical predatory feeding.

Brachium

Refers to the outer skeletal framework of the arm, particularly in context with winged creatures.