Wang and Zhou (2006) thought that Eoazhdarcho, Eopteranodon and
Jidapterus were all synonymous with Chaoyangopterus, but, if I
recall correctly, they didn't really detail why they thought this. I
can see where they're coming from, though: there doesn't seem to be
too many differences between them. That said, they have been kept as
seperate genera in most cladistic analyses, but none of these
analyses have really set out to investigate chaoyangopterid taxonomy
- the authors may just be playing safe. Shenzhoupterus is definitely
distinct, though, and, in an azhdarchoid cladistic analysis I ran
for my thesis, Lacusovagus consistently plotted within
Chaoyangopteridae. So, there's at least 3 taxa in this group, but
whether there's 6 is another question.
--
Dr. Mark Witton
Palaeobiology Research Group
School of Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of Portsmouth
Burnaby Building
Burnaby Road
Portsmouth
PO1 3QL
Tel: (44)2392 842418
E-mail: Mark.Witton@port.ac.uk
David Peters <davidrpeters@charter.net> 29/08/09 2:16 AM >>>
Are Eopteranodon and Eoazhdarcho conspecific?
I can't seem to see any differences and none were noted in the English
version of the paper.
David Peters
St. Louis