List of pterosaur genera facts for kids
Pterosaurs were amazing flying reptiles that lived alongside dinosaurs! This list tells you about all the different types, or genera, of pterosaurs that scientists have discovered. It includes the ones we know for sure were pterosaurs, as well as some that might have been mistaken for them, or whose names have changed over time. Right now, this list has 268 different pterosaur genera!
Contents
Understanding Pterosaur Names
Scientists have special rules for naming animals, like the ones for pterosaurs. This helps everyone around the world know exactly which animal they are talking about. Here are some terms you'll see in the list:
What Do the Names Mean?
- Authors and Year: This tells you who first officially described the pterosaur genus and when they published their findings. Sometimes, a pterosaur species might be so unique that it gets its own new genus, even if it was first found under a different name.
- Status: This explains if the name is currently accepted by scientists.
- Junior synonym: Imagine two different scientists find the same type of pterosaur but give it different names. The first name published is the "senior synonym" and is the one used. The other name becomes a "junior synonym." It's like having two nicknames for the same person, but only one is official!
- Nomen nudum (say "NOH-men NOO-dum"): This is Latin for "naked name." It means a name was mentioned in writing but wasn't officially published with enough details for other scientists to understand it properly. These names aren't official, so they aren't written in italics in the list. If the name is later officially published, it becomes valid and gets italicized.
- Preoccupied name: This happens when a name has already been used for a different animal. If a scientist accidentally uses a name that's already taken, that second use isn't valid, and the pterosaur needs a new name. These names also aren't italicized.
- Nomen dubium (say "NOH-men DOO-bee-um"): This means "doubtful name." It's used when a fossil is found, but it's not complete enough to tell it apart from other known pterosaurs. This list doesn't use this term because it can be a bit tricky and debated among scientists.
- Age: This column tells you the time period when the pterosaur lived. If a pterosaur name is invalid or was a mistake, it will say "N/A" (Not Applicable) because that pterosaur never truly existed under that name.
- Location: This shows where the pterosaur's fossils were found.
- Notes: This section gives you extra interesting facts or explanations about the pterosaur.
The Pterosaur List
Pterosaur Genera
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Ichnogenera: Pterosaur Footprints
Scientists also study pterosaur footprints, which are called ichnogenera. These footprints give us clues about how pterosaurs walked and moved on the ground.
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Oogenera: Pterosaur Eggs
We know that pterosaurs laid eggs, and some even have tiny pterosaur babies (embryos) inside! However, scientists haven't created special "oogenera" (names for egg types) just for pterosaur eggs yet.
See also
In Spanish: Anexo:Géneros de pterosaurios para niños
- List of dinosaurs
- List of plesiosaurs
- List of pterosaur classifications
- Pterosaur
- Timeline of pterosaur research