rhamphorhynchoids

Rhamphorhynchoids are an informal grouping within the order Pterosauria, comprising early, non-pterodactyloid pterosaurs. In traditional usage they include the families Rhamphorhynchidae and Campylognathoididae, and sometimes related genera. They are contrasted with the later, short-tailed pterodactyloids. In modern classifications the term is often replaced by the clade name Rhamphorhynchoidea, reflecting a more explicit evolutionary grouping.

Anatomy features: They typically possessed long tails with many vertebrae and wings formed by a membrane supported by an elongated fourth finger. They bore teeth in their jaws, often conical and pointed. Body size ranged from small to moderate; most specimens are under 1 to 2 meters in wingspan. The anatomy suggests efficient aerial maneuvering and gliding, with hind limbs contributing to the wing membrane in some taxa.

Ecology and behavior: The majority appear piscivorous, catching fish near shorelines or at the water surface. Fossils from lagoonal deposits and coastal environments support this interpretation. The long tail likely functioned as a stabilizer or rudder during flight, while wing shape enabled agile flight at relatively low speeds. Some may have fed on insects or small vertebrates depending on dentition and habitat.

Fossil record and notable taxa: Rhamphorhynchus is among the best-known genera, with well-preserved specimens from the Solnhofen Limestone, Germany. Dimorphodon, from Early Jurassic Europe, is another well-known genus. Other early rhamphorhynchoids include Dorygnathus and Peteinosaurus, with remains found in Europe and Africa dating to the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic.

Taxonomic note: In modern phylogenetics, rhamphorhynchoids are often treated as a paraphyletic grade rather than a formal clade, and the preferred terms typically use Rhamphorhynchoidea for clarity. They illustrate the early diversification of pterosaurs before the rise of the pterodactyloids.