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283 / Mesozoic
Nyctosaurus
Nyctosaurus gracilis
An enormous branching crest crowned some adults, but there is no fossil evidence for a sail between its prongs.
- Time range
- About 87–82 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Cretaceous
- Geographic range
- Skies above the Western Interior Seaway · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Nyctosaurus?
Nyctosaurus (Nyctosaurus gracilis) was an extinct organism known from About 87–82 million years ago, with a range in Skies above the Western Interior Seaway · North America.
Life and ecology
Nyctosaurus was a toothless oceanic flier with very long wings and reduced fingers, probably soaring for fish and squid.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Nyctosaurus disappear?
Marine and pterosaur turnover removed this lineage before the final Cretaceous crisis.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Nyctosaurus?
Kansas skeletons preserve wings and skulls, including rare adults with complete branching crests.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS