@WFS,World Fossil Society,Riffin T Sajeev,Russel T Sajeev

First tapejarid pterosaur from the Wessex Formation (Wealden Group: Lower Cretaceous, Barremian) of the United Kingdom 

An isolated, partial premaxilla from the Lower Cretaceous (Barremian) Wessex Formation of Yaverland, Isle of Wight, UK is identified as pterosaurian on account of its overall morphology and thin bone walls. It is regarded as a tapejarid on account of it unique downturned tip with a unique pattern of slit-like foramina on its occlusal surface, while a combination of sensory foramina and lateral outline identify it as a new genus and species, Wightia declivirostris gen. et sp. nov. The downturn of the occlusal margin lies beyond the anterior margin of the nasoantorbital fenestra suggesting affinities with Sinopterus from China rather than South American tapejarids such as Tapejara, Tupandactylus and Caiuajara. This specimen is the first record of Tapejaridae in the Wessex Formation, and is amongst the oldest record of the Tapejaridae outside of China.

The tapejarid’s enlarged crest may have been used for sexual display, researchers said

Source: David M.Martill^aMickGreen^bRoy E.Smith^aMegan L.Jacobs^aJohnWinch^c

^aSchool of the Environment, Geography and Geological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Burnaby Road, Portsmouth PO1 3QL, UK

^b1 Coastguard Cottages, Military Road, Brighstone, Isle of Wight, PO30 4DA, UK

^cSeajade, 7 West Lake Avenue, Lake, Isle of Wight, POX 36 9NJ, UK

@WFS,World Fossil Society,Riffin T Sajeev,Russel T Sajeev