The presence of an azhdarchid pterosaur in the Cretaceous of Japan

Abstract

An incomplete pterosaur cervical vertebra from the "Upper" Formation (Late Cenomanian-Early Turonian) of the Mifune Group, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, is described. Although not complete, this vertebra is very elongated and has a reduced neural spine, allowing its assignment to the Azhdarchidae. It differs from other azhdarchids by being less constricted and by the morphology of the postzygapophyses. This Japanese occurrence extends the distribution of the Azhdarchidae during the Cretaceous to the easternmost part of Asia.