Notice: file_put_contents(): Write of 305474 bytes failed with errno=28 No space left on device in /opt/frankenphp/design.onmedianet.com/app/src/Arsae/CacheManager.php on line 36

Warning: http_response_code(): Cannot set response code - headers already sent (output started at /opt/frankenphp/design.onmedianet.com/app/src/Arsae/CacheManager.php:36) in /opt/frankenphp/design.onmedianet.com/app/src/Models/Response.php on line 17

Warning: Cannot modify header information - headers already sent by (output started at /opt/frankenphp/design.onmedianet.com/app/src/Arsae/CacheManager.php:36) in /opt/frankenphp/design.onmedianet.com/app/src/Models/Response.php on line 20
Gobiazhdarcho - Wikipedia Jump to content

Gobiazhdarcho

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gobiazhdarcho
Third cervical vertebra of the holotype
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: †Pterosauria
Suborder: †Pterodactyloidea
Clade: †Azhdarchoidea
Family: †Azhdarchidae
Clade: †Quetzalcoatlini
Genus: †Gobiazhdarcho
Pêgas, Zhou & Kobayashi, 2025
Species:
†G. tsogtbaatari
Binomial name
†Gobiazhdarcho tsogtbaatari
Pêgas, Zhou & Kobayashi, 2025

Gobiazhdarcho (lit. 'Gobi Desert azhdar') is an extinct genus of azhdarchid pterosaurs known from the Late Cretaceous Bayanshiree Formation of Mongolia. The genus contains a single species, Gobiazhdarcho tsogtbaatari, known from a three cervical (neck) vertebrae. It was closely related to Quetzalcoatlus and coexisted with Tsogtopteryx, another azhdarchid more closely related to Hatzegopteryx.

Discovery and naming

[edit]
Mongolian Cretaceous fossil localities; Gobiazhdarcho is known from the Burkhant locality in Area D (Bayanshiree Formation)

In 1995, a joint paleontological expedition between the Hayashibara Museum of Natural Sciences and the Mongolian Paleontological Center conducted fieldwork in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia. At the 'Burkhant' locality of the Bayanshiree Formation in Dornogovi Province, workers collected three associated cervical (neck) vertebral elements. These specimens, accessioned as MPC−Nd 100/302, include the atlantoaxis (fused first and second cervicals), the third cervical, and the posterior (back) part of the sixth cervical (identified as the fourth by Averianov in 2014).[1][2] In 2009, Mahito Watabe and colleagues described this specimen, in addition to another isolated pterosaur cervical vertebra from the 'Bayshin Tsav' locality of the same formation. The authors refrained from naming either specimen, but discussed their anatomy and likely phylogenetic affinities in depth.[3]

In 2025, R. V. Pêgas, Xuanyu Zhou, and Yoshitsugu Kobayashi described Gobiazhdarcho tsogtbaatari as a new genus and species of pterosaurs based on the 'Burkhant azhdarchid' fossil remains. The generic name, Gobiazhdarcho, combines "Gobi", a reference to the discovery of the specimen in the Gobi Desert, with "azhdarcho", derived from azhdar, a dragonlike creature in Persian myth. The specific name, tsogtbaatari, honors Mongolian paleontologist Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar. In the same publication, the authors also named the Bayshin Tsav specimen as another new azhdarchid, Tsogtopteryx.[1]

Prior to the naming of Gobiazhdarcho and Tsogtopteryx, the only pterosaur named from Mongolia was the dsungaripterid Noripterus parvus,[4] known from the Tsagan-Tsab Formation.[1] Several fragmentary indeterminate pterosaur remains are also known from the country, including a possible anurognathid, anhanguerid,[5] and tapejaroid,[6] in addition to a possible azhdarchid long bone found in the stomach of a dromaeosaurid dinosaur and the very fragmentary remains of a giant azhdarchid.[7][8]

Description

[edit]
Atlantoaxis (left) and fourth cervical vertebra (right) of the holotype

Based on the size of the holotype vertebrae (third cervical 9.06 centimetres (3.57 in) long), the wingspan of Gobiazhdarcho was estimated at 3–3.5 metres (9.8–11.5 ft), which is comparable in size to Eurazhdarcho, Wellnhopterus, and Zhejiangopterus. The specimen likely belongs to a late subadult individual that was nearly skeletally mature (fully grown). This was determined based on the lack of a grained texture often seen in immature pterosaur bones and the full fusion of the atlas and axis—both characteristics of mature pterosaurs—combined with the lack of ribs fused to the vertebra, an indication of immaturity. In comparison, the coeval Tsogtopteryx was fully grown but much smaller, with a 1.6–1.9 metres (5.2–6.2 ft) wingspan.[1]

Classification

[edit]

To determine the relationships and affinities of Gobiazhdarcho, Pêgas and colleagues scored it in a comprehensive pterosaur-focused phylogenetic matrix modified from Zhou et al. (2025),[9] deriving from Pêgas (2024)[4] and other earlier publications, with modifications based on newer literature. Their analyses recovered Gobiazhdarcho as the sister taxon to Nipponopterus in an early-branching clade within the clade Quetzalcoatlini, which includes azhdarchids more closely related to Quetzalcoatlus than Hatzegopteryx. The results are displayed in the cladogram below:[1]

Azhdarchidae

Paleoenvironment

[edit]
Speculative life restoration of Gobiazhdarcho (larger; red) and Tsogtopteryx (smaller; blue) in a Bayanshiree environment with the ornithopod dinosaur Gobihadros

Gobiazhdarcho is known from the 'Burkhant' locality of the Bayanshiree Formation. Examinations of the magnetostratigraphy of the formation confirm that it lies entirely within the Cretaceous Long Normal, which lasted only until the end of the Santonian stage. Calcite U–Pb measurements estimate the age of the Bayanshiree Formation from 95.9 ± 6.0 million to 89.6 ± 4.0 million years ago, in the Albian through Santonian ages.[12][13] Considering all available evidence, there are likely two distinct levels of the formation—an 'upper' and 'lower'—partially based on faunal differences: a lower part lasting from the Cenomanian to late Turonian ages and an upper part lasting the late Turonian to Santonian ages in the late Cretaceous period.[14] The Burkhant is part of the upper Bayanshiree.[1]

Fluvial, lacustrine and caliche-based sedimentation indicates a lesser semi-arid climate, with the presence of wet environments composed of large meanders and lakes. Large-scale cross-stratification in many of the sandstone layers at the Baynshire and Burkhant localities seems to indicate large meandering rivers, and these large water bodies may have drained the eastern part of the Gobi Desert.[15][12]

A vast faunal diversity is known in the formation, comprising dinosaur and non-dinosaur genera. The large dromaeosaurid Achillobator is also recognized from the Burkhant locality.[16][1] Theropod dinosaurs from other localities include the therizinosaurs Duonychus, Erlikosaurus, Enigmosaurus, and Segnosaurus,[17] the tyrannosauroid Khankhuuluu,[18] and the ornithomimosaur Garudimimus.[19] Herbivorous dinosaurs are represented by the ankylosaurs Talarurus and Tsagantegia,[20] the small marginocephalians Amtocephale (a pachycephalosaur) and Graciliceratops (a ceratopsian),[21][22] the hadrosauroid Gobihadros,[23] and the sauropod Erketu.[24] Other fauna include semiaquatic reptiles like crocodylomorphs and nanhsiungchelyid turtles, and various fish.[14][25] Numerous fossilized fruits have been recovered from the Bor Guvé and Khara Khutul localities.[24]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g Pêgas, R. V.; Zhou, Xuanyu; Kobayashi, Yoshitsugu (2025). "Azhdarchid pterosaur diversity in the Bayanshiree Formation, Upper Cretaceous of the Gobi Desert, Mongolia". PeerJ. 13 e19711. doi:10.7717/peerj.19711.
  2. ^ Averianov, Alexander (2025-08-11). "Review of taxonomy, geographic distribution, and paleoenvironments of Azhdarchidae (Pterosauria)". ZooKeys. 432: 1–107. doi:10.3897/zookeys.432.7913. ISSN 1313-2970. PMC 4141157. PMID 25152671.
  3. ^ Watabe, Mahito; Tsuihiji, Takanobu; Suzuki, Shigeru; Tsogtbaatar, Khishigjav (2009). "The First Discovery of Pterosaurs from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia" (PDF). Acta Palaeontologica Polonica. 54 (2): 231–242. doi:10.4202/app.2006.0068. ISSN 0567-7920.
  4. ^ a b Pêgas, Rodrigo V. (2024-06-10). "A taxonomic note on the tapejarid pterosaurs from the Pterosaur Graveyard site (Caiuá Group, ?Early Cretaceous of Southern Brazil): evidence for the presence of two species". Historical Biology: 1–22. doi:10.1080/08912963.2024.2355664. ISSN 0891-2963.
  5. ^ Bakhurina, Natalia N.; Unwin, David M. (1995). "A survey of pterosaurs from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of the former soviet union and Mongolia". Historical Biology. 10 (3): 197–245. doi:10.1080/10292389509380522. ISSN 0891-2963.
  6. ^ Andres, Brian; Norell, Mark A. (2005-03-24). "The First Record of a Pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous Strata of Öösh (Övörkhangai; Mongolia)". American Museum Novitates. 3472: 1–6. doi:10.1206/0003-0082(2005)472<0001:TFROAP>2.0.CO;2. ISSN 0003-0082.
  7. ^ Hone, David; Tsuihiji, Takanobu; Watabe, Mahito; Tsogtbaatr, Khishigjaw (2012-05-01). "Pterosaurs as a food source for small dromaeosaurs". Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 331–332: 27–30. doi:10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.02.021.
  8. ^ Tsuihiji, Takanobu; Andres, Brian; O'connor, Patrick M.; Watabe, Mahito; Tsogtbaatar, Khishigjav; Mainbayar, Buuvei (September 2017). "Gigantic pterosaurian remains from the Upper Cretaceous of Mongolia". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 37 (5) e1361431. doi:10.1080/02724634.2017.1361431. ISSN 0272-4634.
  9. ^ Zhou, Xuanyu; Ikegami, Naoki; Pêgas, Rodrigo V.; Yoshinaga, Toru; Sato, Takahiro; Mukunoki, Toshifumi; Otani, Jun; Kobayashi, Yoshitsugu (March 2025). "Reassessment of an azhdarchid pterosaur specimen from the Mifune Group, Upper Cretaceous of Japan". Cretaceous Research. 167 106046. Bibcode:2025CrRes.16706046Z. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2024.106046. ISSN 0195-6671.
  10. ^ Vremir, Mátyás; Witton, Mark; Naish, Darren; Dyke, Gareth; Brusatte, Stephen L.; Norell, Mark; Totoianu, Radu (March 17, 2015). "A Medium-Sized Robust-Necked Azhdarchid Pterosaur (Pterodactyloidea: Azhdarchidae) from the Maastrichtian of Pui (Haţeg Basin, Transylvania, Romania)". American Museum Novitates (3827): 1–16. doi:10.1206/3827.1. ISSN 0003-0082.
  11. ^ Longrich, Nicholas R.; Martill, David M.; Andres, Brian; Penny, David (2018). "Late Maastrichtian pterosaurs from North Africa and mass extinction of Pterosauria at the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary". PLOS Biology. 16 (3) e2001663. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.2001663. PMC 5849296. PMID 29534059.
  12. ^ a b Hicks, J. F.; Brinkman, D. L.; Nichols, D. J.; Watabe, M. (1999). "Paleomagnetic and palynologic analyses of Albian to Santonian strata at Bayn Shireh, Burkhant, and Khuren Dukh, eastern Gobi Desert, Mongolia". Cretaceous Research. 20 (6): 829–850. Bibcode:1999CrRes..20..829H. doi:10.1006/cres.1999.0188. Archived from the original on 2022-05-06. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  13. ^ Kurumada, Y.; Aoki, S.; Aoki, K.; Kato, D.; Saneyoshi, M.; Tsogtbaatar, K.; Windley, B. F.; Ishigaki, S. (2020). "Calcite U–Pb age of the Cretaceous vertebrate-bearing Bayn Shire Formation in the Eastern Gobi Desert of Mongolia: usefulness of caliche for age determination". Terra Nova. 32 (4): 246–252. Bibcode:2020TeNov..32..246K. doi:10.1111/ter.12456.
  14. ^ a b Averianov, Alexander; Sues, Hans-Dieter (April 2012). "Correlation of Late Cretaceous continental vertebrate assemblages in Middle and Central Asia". Journal of Stratigraphy. 36 (2): 462–485. hdl:10088/19377.
  15. ^ Samoilov, V. S.; Benjamini, C. (1996). "Geochemical features of dinosaur remains from the Gobi Desert, South Mongolia". PALAIOS. 11 (6): 519–531. Bibcode:1996Palai..11..519S. doi:10.2307/3515188. JSTOR 3515188.
  16. ^ Perle, A.; Norell, M. A.; Clark, J. (1999). "A new maniraptoran Theropod – Achillobator giganticus (Dromaeosauridae) – from the Upper Cretaceous of Burkhant, Mongolia". Contributions from the Geology and Mineralogy Chair, National Museum of Mongolia (101): 1–105. OCLC 69865262.
  17. ^ Kobayashi, Yoshitsugu; Zelenitsky, Darla K.; Fiorillo, Anthony R.; Chinzorig, Tsogtbaatar (2025-03-25). "Didactyl therizinosaur with a preserved keratinous claw from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia". iScience. 28 (4). Bibcode:2025iSci...28k2141K. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2025.112141. ISSN 2589-0042. PMC 12131255.
  18. ^ Voris, Jared T.; Zelenitsky, Darla K.; Kobayashi, Yoshitsugu; Modesto, Sean P.; Therrien, François; Tsutsumi, Hiroki; Chinzorig, Tsogtbaatar; Tsogtbaatar, Khishigjav (2025-06-11). "A new Mongolian tyrannosauroid and the evolution of Eutyrannosauria". Nature. doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08964-6.
  19. ^ Kobayashi, Y.; Barsbold, R. (2005). "Reexamination of a primitive ornithomimosaur, Garudimimus brevipes Barsbold, 1981 (Dinosauria: Theropoda), from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences. 42 (9): 1501–1521. Bibcode:2005CaJES..42.1501K. doi:10.1139/e05-044. hdl:2115/14579.
  20. ^ Park, J. (2020). "Additional skulls of Talarurus plicatospineus (Dinosauria: Ankylosauridae) and implications for paleobiogeography and paleoecology of armored dinosaurs". Cretaceous Research. 108 e104340. Bibcode:2020CrRes.10804340P. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2019.104340. S2CID 212423361.
  21. ^ Sereno, P. C. (2000). "The fossil record, systematics and evolution of pachycephalosaurs and ceratopsians from Asia" (PDF). The Age of Dinosaurs in Russia and Mongolia. Cambridge University Press. pp. 489–491. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-12-25. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  22. ^ Watabe, M.; Tsogtbaatar, K.; Sullivan, R. M. (2011). "A new pachycephalosaurid from the Baynshire Formation (Cenomanian-late Santonian), Gobi Desert, Mongolia" (PDF). Fossil Record 3. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Bulletin. 53: 489–497. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  23. ^ Tsogtbaatar, K.; Weishampel, D. B.; Evans, D. C.; Watabe, M. (2019). "A new hadrosauroid (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) from the Late Cretaceous Baynshire Formation of the Gobi Desert (Mongolia)". PLOS ONE. 14 (4) e0208480. Bibcode:2019PLoSO..1408480T. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208480. PMC 6469754. PMID 30995236.
  24. ^ a b Ksepka, D. T.; Norell, M. A. (2006). "Erketu ellisoni, a long-necked sauropod from Bor Guvé (Dornogov Aimag, Mongolia)" (PDF). American Museum Novitates (3508): 1–16. doi:10.1206/0003-0082(2006)3508[1:EEALSF]2.0.CO;2. S2CID 86032547. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-08-31. Retrieved 2020-01-26.
  25. ^ Turner, A. H. (2015). "A Review of Shamosuchus and Paralligator (Crocodyliformes, Neosuchia) from the Cretaceous of Asia". PLOS One. 10 (2) e0118116. Bibcode:2015PLoSO..1018116T. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0118116. PMC 4340866. PMID 25714338.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gobiazhdarcho&oldid=1314515020"