Eotephradactylus fossil map
Where fossils of Eotephradactylus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 215 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 215 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 | 227.3–205.7 million years ago (Norian) |
| Periods | Triassic |
| Named by | Kligman et al. 2025 |
| Fossil records | 1 occurrences at 1 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | Chinle |
About Eotephradactylus
Eotephradactylus (meaning "ash-winged dawn goddess") is an extinct genus of pterosaurs known from the Late Triassic of what is now Arizona, United States. The genus contains a single species, Eotephradactylus mcintireae, discovered in 2011 and named in 2025. It is known from part of the lower jaw, isolated teeth, and possibly a wing bone found in the Chinle Formation, which dates to the Norian age. These bones were found in a bone bed in addition to many other species, including various fish, mammal precursors, turtles, and other reptiles.
Eotephradactylus is an early-diverging pterosaur, possibly closely related to the European Seazzadactylus. Like some other early pterosaurs, it is characterized by its heterodont dentition. However, unique to Eotephradactylus, it has extensive wear on all of its teeth, showing that it probably ate hard-shelled invertebrates or fish with mineralized scales. Eotephradactylus is the oldest known pterosaur named from North America.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Eotephradactylus (revision 1342487071), 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: Q135234984.
