Geosternbergia maiseyi

Overview

Geosternbergia maiseyi is a Late Cretaceous pterosaur with a striking crest rising above its head. A fossil of the back of the head is the starting point for understanding this species. Pterosaur crests may look decorative, but they are also important evidence in taxonomic research.^[1]

Key facts

Pterosaurs with large crests did not all have the same shape. Crest height and direction and the outline of the space in front of the eye are compared to distinguish them. Small differences in the head prompted the proposal of a new species.^[1]

Time and place

It is a pterosaur from the Campanian Age of the Late Cretaceous, around 80 million years ago. The type specimen came from the Edgemont area of present-day South Dakota, USA. It is associated with the Sharon Springs strata of the Pierre Shale Group.^[1]

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

Size, form and skeleton

The crest extends above the head and appears rounded and convex from the side. The long axis of the eye socket is almost vertical. The large space in front of the eye and its upper margin were also compared with those of other pteranodontid pterosaurs.^[1]

Habitat and reproduction

This animal is studied as a branch of pteranodontid pterosaurs with enormous wings. Comparing head crests reveals varied appearances even among flying animals with similar bodies. How head differences related to life is also an intriguing question.^[1]

Fossil discovery

KUVP27821 at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum shows the back of the head and the crest. Kellner compared this specimen anew in 2010 and proposed the species maiseyi. The name honors the work of paleontologist John Maisey.^[1]

References

1. Kellner2010 — Comments on the Pteranodontidae with the description of two new species
2. Buffetaut, E., Grigorescu, D. & Csiki, Z. (2002). “A new giant pterosaur with a robust skull from the latest Cretaceous of Romania.” Naturwissenschaften, 89, 180–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-002-0307-1
3. Naish & Witton2017 — Neck biomechanics of giant Transylvanian azhdarchids
4. Kellner2010 — Comments on the Pteranodontidae with the description of two new species

Research questions

Do crest differences reflect species, growth, or individual variation? Pterosaur research compares form alongside the time and place of discovery. This specimen also led to discussion reconsidering pteranodontid diversity.^[1]

Observation

Move your gaze from the rounded, rising crest to the eye socket and the space in front of it. Comparing the heads of similar pterosaurs side by side makes the differences in their crests clearer.^[1]