NHMUK PV R37110, Ceoptera evansae holotype Project ID: 000397673 Public

8 Media · 1 Specimen · Managed by: Liz Martin-Silverstone

CT scans of the holotype of the pterosaur Ceoptera evansae, submitted to Biology Letters. The Middle Jurassic was a critical time in pterosaur evolution, witnessing the inception of major morphological innovations that underpinned successive radiations by rhamphorhynchids, basal monofenestratans and pterodactyloids. Frustratingly, this interval is particularly sparsely sampled, with a record consisting almost exclusively of isolated fragmentary remains. Here, we describe new material from the Bathonian-aged Kilmaluag Formation of Skye, Scotland, which helps to close this gap. Ceoptera evansae (gen. et sp. nov.) is based on a three-dimensionally preserved partial skeleton, representing a very rare example of an associated Middle Jurassic pterosaur. Ceoptera is one of the first pterosaurs to be fully digitally prepared and µCT scanning reveals multiple elements of the skeleton that remain fully embedded within the matrix, which are otherwise inaccessible. Novel anatomical features of this new Middle Jurassic pterosaur support the existence of the controversial clade Wukongopteridae, greatly clarifying our understanding of Jurassic pterosaur evolution.