Anurognathus ammoni is an extinct genus of rhamphorhynchoid pterosaur that lived approximately 150 million years ago, at the end of the Jurassic period during the Tithonian, in Europe. It was first described by Ludwig Döderlein in 1923. The genus name is derived from Greek, referring to its unusually short tail compared to other rhamphorhynchoid pterosaurs. The species name, ammoni, honors the Bavarian geologist Ludwig von Ammon.
This pterosaur is characterized by its tiny size, with a wingspan of approximately 50 centimeters and a body length of around 9 centimeters. It had a short head with needle-like teeth, adapted for catching insects in flight. Although it was traditionally assigned to the group of long-tailed pterosaurs "Rhamphorhynchoidea", its tail was relatively short, which gave it greater maneuverability for hunting.
Anurognathus is believed to have been a slow flying predator, specialized in hunting during twilight, thanks to its large eyes adapted to night vision. Its morphology and wing structure suggest that it was agile in the air and capable of surprising its prey. Although it has been suggested that Anurognathus had membranes connecting its legs to its wings, which would have allowed it to make short, fast flights for hunting.
This pterosaur has been assigned to the family Anurognathidae, being the sister taxon of the Asiaticognathidae clade.
Approximate measurements of Anurognathus:
This pterosaur is characterized by its tiny size, with a wingspan of approximately 50 centimeters and a body length of around 9 centimeters. It had a short head with needle-like teeth, adapted for catching insects in flight. Although it was traditionally assigned to the group of long-tailed pterosaurs "Rhamphorhynchoidea", its tail was relatively short, which gave it greater maneuverability for hunting.
Anurognathus is believed to have been a slow flying predator, specialized in hunting during twilight, thanks to its large eyes adapted to night vision. Its morphology and wing structure suggest that it was agile in the air and capable of surprising its prey. Although it has been suggested that Anurognathus had membranes connecting its legs to its wings, which would have allowed it to make short, fast flights for hunting.
This pterosaur has been assigned to the family Anurognathidae, being the sister taxon of the Asiaticognathidae clade.
Approximate measurements of Anurognathus:
- 1:4 Scale - Complete
- Length 61 mm
- Height 21 mm
- Wingspan 124 mm
- 1:2 Scale - Complete
- Length 121 mm
- Height 42 mm
- Wingspan 248 mm
