Coloborhynchus clavirostris Owen, 1874

Rodrigues, Taissa & Kellner, Alexander Wilhelm Armin, 2013, Taxonomic review of the Ornithocheirus complex (Pterosauria) from the Cretaceous of England, ZooKeys 308, pp. 1-112 : 22-23

Coloborhynchus clavirostris Owen, 1874 Fig. 7

Coloborhynchus clavirostris Owen: Owen 1874: p. 6, pl. I, fig. 1-4

Criorhynchus simus (Owen): Hooley 1914: p. 537

Criorhynchus clavirostris (Owen): Arthaber 1922: p. 18, fig. 7c

Criorhynchus simus (Owen): Kuhn 1967: 38

Criorhynchus simus (Owen): Wellnhofer 1978: p. 60

Coloborhynchus clavirostris Owen: Lee 1994: p. 756, fig. 4

Coloborhynchus clavirostris Owen: Unwin 2001: p. 206

Coloborhynchus clavirostris Owen: Veldmeijer 2003: 42

Coloborhynchus clavirostris Owen: Rodrigues and Kellner 2008: p. 220, fig. 1.1, 2.1, 3.1

Coloborhynchus clavirostris Owen: Martill, Sweetman and Witton 2011: p. 380, fig. 25.8

Holotype.

NHMUK PV R 1822, anterior portion of the rostrum ( Fig. 7A-D ).

Type locality.

St.-Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, England.

Type horizon.

Hastings Group (late Berriasian / Valanginian).

Diagnosis.

Anhanguerid pterosaur with the following combination of characters that distinguishes it from other members of the clade (autapomorphies are marked with an asterisk): oval depression beneath the first pair of alveoli*; second, third and fourth pairs of alveoli located laterally*; fifth and sixth pairs of alveoli located more medially than the preceding alveoli on the base of the palatal ridge*; anterior part of the palatal ridge bordered by two shallow longitudinally elongated depressions* (from Rodrigues and Kellner 2008).

Description.

The holotype of Coloborhynchus clavirostris (NHMUK PV R 1822) is a fragment of the premaxillae and maxillae, and has previously been described in detail ( Owen 1874; Veldmeijer 2003; Rodrigues and Kellner 2008). It has a flattened anterior margin, where the first pair of tooth sockets is located. The second, third and fourth pairs of alveoli face laterally, and the fifth and sixth pairs are situated closer to the midline. Coloborhynchus clavirostris also has an anterior expansion and a strong palatal ridge in addition a robust premaxillary crest, which begins at the tip of the rostrum.

Remarks.

Rodrigues and Kellner (2008) reviewed the taxonomic history of the genus Coloborhynchus and the species Coloborhynchus clavirostris , and thus only the main points are repeated here. The genus and species were erected by Owen (1874). Later authors such as Hooley (1914), Kuhn (1967) and Wellnhofer (1978) regarded it synonymous with Ornithocheirus simus [= Criorhynchus simus ]. Lee (1994) revalidated Coloborhynchus , and Unwin (2001) not only considered it a valid genus, but also referred additional species to the genus. Rodrigues and Kellner (2008), noting several unique characters of Coloborhynchus clavirostris , restricted the genus to the type species. This view is followed here.

Figures

Figure 7. Coloborhynchus clavirostris. Holotype, NHMUK PV R 1822 (late Berriasian / Valanginian, Hastings Group), anterior part of the rostrum A anterior view B respective line drawing C left lateral view D respective line drawing. Abbreviations: dep - depression, m - maxillae, pm - premaxillae, pmcr - premaxillaery crest, prid - palatal ridge. Arrows and numbers indicate alveoli or teeth and their respective position. Scale bar = 10 mm. Photos courtesy of The Natural History Museum.