Rhamphorhynchus

Rhamphorhynchus is a genus of early flying reptiles in the pterosaur order. It lived during the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, with fossils widely distributed in Europe, especially the Solnhofen limestone of Bavaria, Germany. The genus includes several species, among them R. muensteri, and is one of the best-studied groups of non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs.

Anatomy and appearance: Rhamphorhynchus was relatively small to medium-sized for a pterosaur, built for agile flight. It had a long, pointed skull with numerous sharp teeth and a long neck. The most distinctive feature was its long tail, ending in a diamond-shaped vane that likely acted as a stabilizing rudder in flight. The wings were formed by a skin membrane stretched between an elongated fourth finger and the body. The body was compact, with proportionally shorter hind limbs compared with the wing area.

Ecology and behavior: It is interpreted as primarily piscivorous, catching fish by diving or skimming near the water surface. The tail vane and wing shape would have aided steering and maneuverability in coastal or near-water environments. Ontogenetic and anatomical evidence suggests juveniles and adults occupied similar habitats, with little demonstrated depth of sexual dimorphism in the fossils.

Fossil record and significance: The abundant and well-preserved Rhamphorhynchus fossils have greatly informed understanding of early pterosaur anatomy, flight, and ecology. The genus illustrates the contrast between long-tailed primitive pterosaurs and later short-tailed pterodactyloids, contributing to broader discussions of pterosaur evolution.