Tupandactylus

Tupandactylus is an extinct genus of pterodactyloid pterosaur known from the Early Cretaceous period of Brazil. It is a member of the family Tapejaridae, a group of pterosaurs characterized by their prominent cranial crests. The genus is named after Tupan, the indigenous thunder god of the Tupi people, and the Greek word "daktylos," meaning finger, referring to the specialized fourth digit of the wing.

The most striking feature of Tupandactylus is its large, often elaborate, bony crest on its skull. The shape and size of this crest varied between species and potentially between sexes, suggesting it may have been used for display or species recognition. The crest was often a thin, upright structure, sometimes extending far back over the neck. Tupandactylus possessed a toothless beak, a common trait among many derived pterosaurs.

Fossil remains of Tupandactylus have been recovered primarily from the Santana Formation in the Araripe Basin of northeastern Brazil. This formation is renowned for its exceptionally preserved fossils, often including soft tissues. The diet of Tupandactylus is debated, with some scientists suggesting it was herbivorous or frugivorous due to its toothless beak and crest morphology, while others propose it may have been an insectivore or even a piscivore. Tupandactylus lived alongside a diverse array of other pterosaurs and dinosaurs, contributing to the rich ecosystem of the Cretaceous Brazilian wetlands.