Dimorphodon macronyx

Overview

Dimorphodon macronyx was a pterosaur known for a large head, relatively short wings, and a long tail. Long fang-like teeth at the front and shorter teeth behind are also described as characteristic. Different arrangements can be examined in the head, wings, and tail.^[1]

Key facts

Long front teeth and short rear teeth are described within the same jaws. Tooth lengths and positions can be compared even within one region.^[1]

Time and place

It is known from Early Jurassic material of the Lower Lias in present-day Dorset, Britain. Its stratigraphic context spans the Hettangian to Sinemurian. The Jurassic as a whole spans approximately 200–140 million years ago.^[2][4]

The time range describes source context, not the complete duration of this species.

Size, form and skeleton

The large head has long fang-like teeth at the front and short teeth behind. Relatively short wings and a long tail continue along the body. Historical descriptions also explain three free fingers bearing claws.^[1][3]

An institutional account gives an approximate wingspan of 1.4 m.^[1]

Habitat and reproduction

How can the wing and fingers be distinguished in a pterosaur hand? Historical records describe free fingers with claws. Observation can narrow from the broad outline of the whole wing to small structures at the fingertips.^[3]

Fossil discovery

Buckland reported a new pterosaur discovery at Lyme Regis in 1829. Records describe the surviving bones, teeth, and fingers. Old descriptions can be read alongside species accounts from museums.^[3][1]

References

1. Tuesday’s Pterosaur: Dimorphodon
2. Natural History Museum, London — Pterosaur collection material
3. Buckland (1829) — Report of a new pterosaur discovery at Lyme Regis
4. International Commission on Stratigraphy (2024) — Geological time chart
5. Natural History Museum — Scelidosaurus
6. Norman (2020) — The head of Scelidosaurus
7. Norman (2020) — The dermal skeleton of Scelidosaurus
8. Natural History Museum, London — Pterosaur collection material
9. International Commission on Stratigraphy (2024) — Geological time chart
10. American Museum of Natural History — Dimorphodon

Research questions

How did a large head, short wings, and long tail connect within the whole body? Considering the relative arrangement of several regions gives a different impression from viewing one part alone. Teeth and fingers are further distinct features of the same body.^[1][3]

Observation

Examine the long and short teeth in the large head, then move your gaze to the wings and long tail. Imagine the claws on the free fingers to compare the broad outline with small structures.^[1][3]