Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
284 / Mesozoic
Thalassodromeus
Thalassodromeus sethi
A vast sail-like skull crest dominated the profile of this large toothless pterosaur.
View original image · 1536 × 1024- Time range
- About 113 million years ago
- Final stage
- Early Cretaceous
- Geographic range
- Lagoon shores and semi-arid plains · Brazil
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Thalassodromeus?
Thalassodromeus (Thalassodromeus sethi) was an extinct organism known from About 113 million years ago, with a range in Lagoon shores and semi-arid plains · Brazil.
Life and ecology
Thalassodromeus likely foraged on land or in shallow water. Its exact diet remains debated, and classic skim-feeding is poorly supported.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Thalassodromeus disappear?
Regional coastal change and pterosaur turnover are possible context, but they do not demonstrate why this specialized lineage disappeared.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Thalassodromeus?
Three-dimensional skulls preserve the crest, jaw mechanics and vascular grooves used to test competing lifestyles.
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?
- Rewrote an extinction cause that presented environmental or faunal turnover as established; it is now given as context the record does not prove.
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS