Thalassodromeus: Complete skeleton

Açıklama

Thalassodromeus is a genus of pterosaur, a flying reptile that lived during the Upper Cretaceous, around 110 million years ago. It belonged to the Thalassodrominae family, part of the large pterosaurs of the Pterodactyloidea clade. Here are a few key points to know about this fascinating reptile: Total skull length: The skull of Thalassodromeus measured around 1.4 meters, making it exceptionally large in relation to the animal's overall size. Animal wingspan: It is estimated that this pterosaur had a wingspan of around 4 to 5 meters. Crest dimensions: The crest, which extended over a large part of the skull, could reach remarkable proportions, contributing to its overall length. It formed a tall, tapering structure, increasing the apparent surface area of the head and giving the animal a distinctive appearance. These anatomical features probably contributed to its flight efficiency and behaviors potentially related to thermoregulation or courtship. The 3D model allows us to visualize these proportions and study how Thalassodromeus integrated these unique features into its physiology.