Zhejiangopterus

Zhejiangopterus is a genus of pterosaur from the Early Cretaceous of what is now Zhejiang Province, China. Fossils attributed to Zhejiangopterus have been recovered from the Linhai Formation, dating to the Early Cretaceous, contributing to the record of pterosaurs in East Asia.

The genus is known from the type species Zhejiangopterus linhaiensis. The preserved material includes skull and postcranial elements that indicate a medium-sized pterosaur with an elongated snout and a relatively robust build. The overall body plan aligns with other pterosaurs of its era, featuring wings supported by an elongated fourth finger.

Taxonomic placement of Zhejiangopterus has been a subject of debate. Various analyses have proposed different relationships within Pterosauria, reflecting broader uncertainties about early Cretaceous Asian pterosaurs and the diversity of their communities.

Paleoecology of Zhejiangopterus is inferred from its geological context and comparisons with contemporaneous pterosaurs. It likely inhabited lacustrine or nearshore environments, where pterosaurs of similar size and morphology are commonly found in Early Cretaceous deposits. Zhejiangopterus helps illustrate the diversity of pterosaur faunas in Asia during this period and contributes to broader understandings of pterosaur evolution and distribution.