Azhdarcho fossil map
Where fossils of Azhdarcho have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 85 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 85 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Pterosaurs |
|---|---|
| Lived | 93.9–72.2 million years ago (Turonian to Campanian) |
| Periods | Cretaceous |
| Family | Azhdarchidae |
| Named by | Nessov 1981 |
| Fossil records | 4 occurrences at 3 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Spain, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan |
| Rock formations | Vitoria, Bissekty, Yalovach |
About Azhdarcho
Azhdarcho is a genus of azhdarchid pterosaur from the late Cretaceous Period of the Bissekty Formation (middle Turonian stage, about 92 million years ago) of Uzbekistan, as well as the Zhirkindek Formation of Kazakhstan and possibly also the Ialovachsk Formation of Tajikistan. It is known from fragmentary remains including the distinctive, elongated neck vertebrae that characterizes members of the family Azhdarchidae, a family that includes many giant pterosaurs such as Quetzalcoatlus. The name Azhdarcho comes from the Persian word azhdar (اژدر), a dragon-like creature in Persian mythology. The type species is Azhdarcho lancicollis. The specific epithet lancicollis is derived from the Latin words lancea (meaning "lance" or "spear") and collum ("neck"). Most individuals were relatively small with an estimated wingspan of 3–4 m (9 ft 10 in – 13 ft 1 in), but some remains indicate a larger wingspan of 5–6 m (16 ft 5 in – 19 ft 8 in).
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Azhdarcho (revision 1381469765), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q20672230.
