Cryodrakon boreas, gen. et sp. nov., a Late Cretaceous Canadian azhdarchid pterosaur

摘要

Azhdarchid pterosaurs have been known since 1972 from upper Campanian deposits of Alberta, Canada. Originally represented by only very fragmentary remains tentatively assigned to the genus Quetzalcoatlus, additional material uncovered over the years has revealed that the taxonomic identity of the Alberta pterosaur material is at odds with this in the light of the growing understanding of azhdarchid diversity. Here, we describe previously undocumented pterosaur remains from Alberta and reassess previously studied material. The specimens collected from the Dinosaur Park Formation can be assigned to a new genus and species Cryodrakon boreas, gen. et sp. nov. The largest elements referable to this taxon suggest that this genus reached sizes comparable to those of other giant azhdarchids.