Limit search to available items
Book Cover
E-book
Author Witton, Mark P., 1984-

Title Pterosaurs : natural history, evolution, anatomy / Mark P. Witton
Published Princeton : Princeton University Press, 2013

Copies

Description 1 online resource
Contents Frontmatter -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Leathery-Winged Harpies -- 2. Understanding the Flying Reptiles -- 3. Pterosaur Beginnings -- 4. The Pterosaur Skeleton -- 5. Soft Bits -- 6. Flying Reptiles -- 7. Down from the Skies -- 8. The Private Lives of Pterosaurs -- 9. The Diversity of Pterosaurs -- 10. Early Pterosaurs and Dimorphodontidae -- 11. Anurognathidae -- 12. "Campylognathoidids" -- 13. Rhamphorhynchidae -- 14. Wukongopteridae -- 15. Istiodactylidae -- 16. Ornithocheiridae -- 17. Boreopteridae -- 18. Pteranodontia -- 19. Ctenochasmatoidea -- 20. Dsungaripteroidea -- 21. Lonchodectidae -- 22. Tapejaridae -- 23. Chaoyangopteridae -- 24. Thalassodromidae -- 25. Azhdarchidae -- 26. The Rise and Fall of the Pterosaur Empire -- References -- Index
Summary "For 150 million years, the skies didn't belong to birds--they belonged to the pterosaurs. These flying reptiles, which include the pterodactyls, shared the world with the nonavian dinosaurs until their extinction 65 million years ago. Some pterosaurs, such as the giant azhdarchids, were the largest flying animals of all time, with wingspans exceeding thirty feet and standing heights comparable to modern giraffes. This richly illustrated book takes an unprecedented look at these astonishing creatures, presenting the latest findings on their anatomy, ecology, and extinction. Pterosaurs features some 200 stunning illustrations, including original paintings by Mark Witton and photos of rarely seen fossils. After decades of mystery, paleontologists have finally begun to understand how pterosaurs are related to other reptiles, how they functioned as living animals, and, despite dwarfing all other flying animals, how they managed to become airborne. Here you can explore the fossil evidence of pterosaur behavior and ecology, learn about the skeletal and soft-tissue anatomy of pterosaurs, and consider the newest theories about their cryptic origins. This one-of-a-kind book covers the discovery history, paleobiogeography, anatomy, and behaviors of more than 130 species of pterosaur, and also discusses their demise at the end of the Mesozoic; The most comprehensive book on pterosaurs ever published; features some 200 illustrations, including original paintings by the author; covers every known species and major group of pterosaurs; describes pterosaur anatomy, ecology, behaviors, diversity, and more; encourages further study with 500 references to primary pterosaur literature"-- Provided by publisher
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes In English
Print version record
Subject Pterosauria -- Evolution
Pterosauria -- Anatomy
SCIENCE -- Paleontology.
NATURE -- Animals -- Reptiles & Amphibians.
NATURE -- Animals -- Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Creatures.
Anatomie
Bewegung
Paläobiologie
Flugsaurier
Evolution
Palökologie
Mesozoikum
Morphologie Biologie
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9781400847655
1400847656
1299557236
9781299557239