re: Questions on Tapejarids

[David Peters <davidrpeters@earthlink.net>]

Greetings,

I've got some questions on tapejarids:

*Is the rostrum in Sinopterus gui and S.dongi almost
straight?

Nick Gardner noted: It doesn't seem to be. [and more in an earlier
response]


*Whats the angle of Sinopterus rostrum?

>From the anterior vertex, and assuming a straight ventral rim (which, as
Nick noted, isn't) about 55 degrees.



*Is Jidapterus edentus Dong et al. a basal tapejarid?

No. It appears to be a basal azhdarchid. The kind without a
hyperelongated cervical series. Look for a reconstruction shortly at
pterosaurinfo.com.


*What is the ontogenic stage of the Sinopterus
gui,S.dongi and Jidapterus edentus?

S. gui I haven't studied. S. dongi is a mother with two juvies. Both
have extensive soft tissue head crests equaling the big Tapejaras.
Jidapterus is a mother with a juvie and a possible neonate.

Hope this helps.

David Peters
St. Louis


Mark