Azhdarchoidea

Azhdarchoidea is a clade of pterosaurs within the larger group Pterosauria. It includes the family Azhdarchidae and several close relatives, such as Tapejaridae and Chaoyangopteridae, though the exact composition has varied among phylogenetic analyses. The group first appears in the Early Cretaceous and persists into the Late Cretaceous, with a widespread geographic distribution across multiple continents.

Members of Azhdarchoidea exhibit a range of morphologies, but share a general tendency toward long heads and necks. Many taxa have elongate beaks, and several lineages show reduced or absent teeth, especially among azhdarchids and many tapejarids. Cranial crests are common in some taxa, particularly within tapejarids and related forms. Body size varies considerably, from medium-sized forms to giants like some azhdarchids.

Ecology and paleobiology within Azhdarchoidea were diverse. Tapejarids are often interpreted as frugivores or omnivores, based on skull and jaw structure and teeth presence in some species. Azhdarchids, including some of the largest known pterosaurs, are typically viewed as highly capable flyers with terrestrial or generalist feeding strategies, possibly including small vertebrates or carrion. The clade shows a broad spread through Early to Late Cretaceous ecosystems, occupying a variety of habitats from coastal to inland environments.

Notable taxa associated with Azhdarchoidea include Azhdarchidae genera such as Quetzalcoatlus, Tapejaridae such as Tapejara and Sinopterus, and Chaoyangopteridae such as Chaoyangopterus. The relationship among these groups has been refined over time, but Azhdarchoidea remains recognized as a major subdivision of pterosaur evolution during the Cretaceous.