2025/11/29 by Rodrigo V. Pêgas, Anderson Nascimento, Lucas C. Piazentin +3 · 1 voice
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Amphibian and Reptile Biology #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology
paper · doi:10.1080/08912963.2025.2582068
openalex publication_date 2025/11/29 · openalex created_date 2025/11/30 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
The Romualdo Formation (Aptian–Albian) of the Araripe Basin is renowned for its exceptional three-dimensional fossil preservation, including a rich pterosaur assemblage. One of such pterosaurs from the Romualdo Formation is Brasileodactylus araripensis, described in 1984 from a partial mandible, being the first pterosaur from this unit with cranial remains, followed by ‘Cearadactylus atrox’ in 1985, based on an almost complete skull with artificial restorations. The distinction between these taxa has traditionally relied on characteristics such as the presence of accessory occlusal grooves in the dentary, bifurcation of the anterior occlusal groove, and alveolar spacing patterns. In this study, we reassess the holotype of B. araripensis and compare it to all referred specimens, including those attributed to ‘C. atrox’. Our analysis reveals that the diagnostic differences between the holotypes are either due to preservation biases or based on previous misinterpretations. Furthermore, the referred specimens exhibit a combination of features formerly considered exclusive to each taxon. We thus propose that ‘C. atrox’ is indistinguishable from B. araripensis and should be considered a junior synonym of the latter. A revised hypodigm for B. araripensis now includes four specimens, united by a newly identified feature: a row of paired neurovascular foramina siding with the dentary occlusal groove.