dorygnathids

Dorygnathids, or Dorygnathidae, are a family of early pterosaurs within the suborder Rhamphorhynchoidea. The best-known member is the genus Dorygnathus, and the family includes several related forms. The fossil record for dorygnathids spans the Late Triassic to the Early Jurassic, with the most complete material arising from European deposits, particularly in Germany.

Anatomy and morphology: Dorygnathids typically feature elongated jaws with conical teeth set in a relatively long skull. Like other rhamphorhynchoids, they possessed a wing membrane supported by an elongated fourth finger, indicating an aerial lifestyle. The skeleton is generally lightweight, adapted for flight, and long tails are characteristic of this early pterosaur lineage, contributing to maneuverability in the air.

Ecology and behavior: The dentition and jaw structure suggest a diet that included fish and other small vertebrates or invertebrates encountered near water, though dietary specialization likely varied among species. Their flight apparatus implies powered flight and modest foraging ranges; some forms may have foraged near aquatic habitats, while others could have exploited different microhabitats within their environments.

Taxonomic significance: Dorygnathids contribute to understanding the early diversification of pterosaurs during the Triassic–Jurassic transition. They help illustrate the range of skull shapes and tooth arrangements within Rhamphorhynchoidea and provide context for the evolutionary experimentation that preceded later pterosaur lineages.

See also Pterosauria, Rhamphorhynchoidea, Dorygnathus.