Alexander Wilhelm Armin KELLNER, New information on the Tapejaridae (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) and discussion of the relationships of this clade,
AMEGHINIANA (Rev. Asoc. Paleontol. Argent.) - 41 (4): 521-534. Buenos Aires, 30-12-2004.

Abstract. A phylogenetic analysis indicates that the Tapejaridae is a monophyletic group of pterodactyloid pterosaurs, diagnosed by the following synapomorphies: premaxillary sagittal crest that starts at the anterior tip of the premaxilla and extends posteriorly after the occipital region, large nasoantorbital fenestra that reaches over 45% of the length between premaxilla and squamosal, lacrimal process of the jugal thin, distinct small pear­shaped orbit with lower portion narrow, and broad tubercle at the ventroposterior margin of the coracoid. Several cranial and postcranial characters indicate that the Tapejaridae are weIl nested within the Tapejaroidea, in sister group relationship with the Azhdarchidae. A preliminary study of the ingroup reIationships within the Tapejaridae shows that Tupuxuara is more closely related to Thalassodromeus relative to Tapejara. At present tape­jarid remains have been found in the following deposits: Crato and Romualdo members of the Santana Formation (Aptian-Albian), Araripe Basin, Brazil; Jiufotang Formation (Aptian), Jehol Group of western Uaoning, China; and in the redbeds (Cenomanian) of the Kem Kem region, Morocco. An incomplete skull found in the Javelina Formation (Maastrichtian), Texas also shows several tapejarid features and might be a member of this clade. Although information is stilllimited, the present distribution of the Tapejaridae indicates that this clade of pterosaurs was not exclusive of Gondwana, and was more widespread than previously known.

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