A New Species of Huaxiapterus (Pterosauria: Tapejaridae) from the Early Cretaceous of Western Liaoning, China

Abstract: A new species of Huaxiapterus: H. benxiensis sp. nov. is erected based on the new specimen. The diagnostic characters of Huaxiapterus benxiensis are well‐developed premaxillary crest and parietal spine, the crest and spine parallel and extending posterodorsally, and a shallow groove present on the dorsal surface of the anterior portion of the mandibular symphysis. The different skull morphologies of Chinese tapejarid pterosaurs indicate that they are much more diverse than the previous thought.

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