For 150 million years, the skies didn't belong to birds--they belonged to the pterosaurs. These flying reptiles, which include the pterodactyls, shared the world with the nonavian dinosaurs until their extinction 65 million years ago. Some pterosaurs, such as the giant azhdarchids, were the largest flying animals of all time, with wingspans exceeding thirty feet and standing heights comparable to modern giraffes. This richly illustrated book takes an unprecedented look at these astonishing creatures, presenting the latest findings on their anatomy, ecology, and extinction. Pterosaurs features some 200 stunning illustrations, including original paintings by Mark Witton and photos of rarely seen fossils. After decades of mystery, paleontologists have finally begun to understand how pterosaurs are related to other reptiles, how they functioned as living animals, and, despite dwarfing all other flying animals, how they managed to become airborne. Here you can explore the fossil evidence of pterosaur behavior and ecology, learn about the skeletal and soft-tissue anatomy of pterosaurs, and consider the newest theories about their cryptic origins. This one-of-a-kind book covers the discovery history, paleobiogeography, anatomy, and behaviors of more than 130 species of pterosaur, and also discusses their demise at the end of the Mesozoic. The most comprehensive book on pterosaurs ever published Features some 200 illustrations, including original paintings by the author Covers every known species and major group of pterosaurs Describes pterosaur anatomy, ecology, behaviors, diversity, and more Encourages further study with 500 references to primary pterosaur literature

Presents the latest findings on the anatomy, paleobiogeography, ecology, behaviors, and extinction of pterosaurs, featuring illustrations and photographs of rarely seen fossils.

"Witton's Pterosaurs is a remarkable visual feast, packed full of novel art as well as excellent photographs that the author clearly worked hard to obtain. There are, in fact, illustrations of some sort on virtually every single page--you will never get bored of looking at this book. . . . If you like or are even vaguely interested in pterosaurs, you really need this book."---Darren Naish, Historical Biology

Autorentext

Mark P. Witton

Klappentext

"This book is both academically interesting and truly fun to read. That is a difficult balance to reach, but Witton does an excellent job of it by using a lighthearted, informal writing style in combination with a well-referenced, serious scientific review. An invaluable reference."--Michael Habib, University of Southern California

Zusammenfassung
For 150 million years, the skies didn't belong to birds--they belonged to the pterosaurs. These flying reptiles, which include the pterodactyls, shared the world with the nonavian dinosaurs until their extinction 65 million years ago. Some pterosaurs, such as the giant azhdarchids, were the largest flying animals of all time, with wingspans exceedi

Inhalt

ix Preface xi Acknowledgments 1. Leathery-Winged Harpies 1 2. Understanding the Flying Reptiles 4 3. Pterosaur Beginnings 12 4. The Pterosaur Skeleton 23 5. Soft Bits 39 6. Flying Reptiles 56 7. Down from the Skies 64 8. The Private Lives of Pterosaurs 74 9. The Diversity of Pterosaurs 90 10. Early Pterosaurs and Dimorphodontidae 95 11. Anurognathidae 104 12. "Campylognathoidids" 113 13. Rhamphorhynchidae 123 14. Wukongopteridae 135 15. Istiodactylidae 143 16. Ornithocheiridae 152 17. Boreopteridae 164 18. Pteranodontia 170 19. Ctenochasmatoidea 183 20. Dsungaripteroidea 201 21. Lonchodectidae 211 22. Tapejaridae 216 23. Chaoyangopteridae 228 24. Thalassodromidae 234 25. Azhdarchidae 244 26. The Rise and Fall of the Pterosaur Empire 259 References 265 Index 283