This list of informally named pterosaurs is a list of pterosaurs that have never been given formally published scientific names. This list only includes names that were not properly published ("unavailable names") and have not since been published under a valid name (see list of pterosaur genera for valid names). The following types of names are present on this list:
"Imrankhanuqab" is an informal genus of pterosaur from the Vitakri Formation of Pakistan, described by M. Sadiq Malkani (2023) in Scientific Research Publishing, a known predatory publisher. The proposed type species is "Imrankhanuqab qaeddiljani" and the proposed holotype GSP/Sangiali-1175 consists of a synsacrum, a pair of ilium, and several bones with cavities. [1]
"Oolithorhynchus" is an informal genus of pterosaur based on numerous humeri referred to Rhamphocephalus from the Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Eyford Member of the Fuller's Earth Formation. [2] Because the paper proposing "Oolithorhynchus" was not formally published, this name is a nomen manuscriptum. [3]
"Parirau" is an informal genus of pterosaur from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian-Maastrichtian) Maungataniwha Member of the Tahora Formation, New Zealand. The intended type species "Parirau ataroa" is named based on a single left ulna (NZMS CD 467) in a 2019 preprint, which renders this name a nomen nudum. [4] Originally described as an indeterminate pterosaur with possible similarities to Santanadactylus in a 1988 paper, [5] NZMS CD 467 is classified as an indeterminate azhdarchid in formal literature, [6] [7] contrary to the 2019 preprint which placed it within Lonchodectidae. [4]
"Pricesaurus megalodon" ("Llewellyn Ivor Price lizard") is a nomen nudum based on remains currently assigned to Anhanguera . The remains were first brought up in a lecture by Rafael Gioia Martins-Neto in 1986. He notes several distinct features, but further research proved that all noted features are non-diagnostic and the taxon was ruled invalid due to improper naming conventions. [8]
"Rhamphodactylus" is a nickname given to fossils of what is likely a basally-branching pterodactyloid from the Mörnsheim Formation by Oliver Rauhut in 2012. The name references the mosaic of features that seem to recall both Rhamphorhynchoidea and Pterodactyloidea. The preserved skull bones are especially similar to Pterodactylus , the tail is similar to rhamphorhynchoids but also Darwinopterus , the shoulder and arm bones are similar to Rhamphorhynchus , and the metacarpal is almost exactly intermediate the two major clades. While the fossil material has been recognized as likely belonging to a new taxon, a proper description has not been published. [9] Some publications have used the nickname "Rhamphodactylus" in reference to this important fossil, even including it in phylogenetic analyses, which have recovered it as a basal pterodactyloid within Monofenestrata. [10] [11] A similar fossil, also with mosaic "transitional" features is known from the Painten Formation of Germany. [12]
"Satsuma-yokuryu" (薩摩翼竜, "Satsuma (old name of Kagoshima) pterosaur") is a nickname given to fossil of partial limb bone of pterosaur described from Cenomanian Goshoura Group, Shishijima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture in Japan. [13] Nearby site also produced fossils of plesiosaur, "Satsuma-utsunomiya-ryu". [14] This specimen was first discovered by Satoshi Utsunomiya during a TV program, he and Yasuhisa Nakajima analyzed material and found to be a part of limb bone. [15] [16] Its wingspan would be around 4 meters (13 ft). [13]
The name "Wyomingopteryx" appears in a painting of Morrison prehistoric animals by Robert Bakker. However, this binomen is a nomen nudum , and it is possible that Bakker may have intended to coin "Wyomingopteryx" for the Istiodactylus-like specimen TATE 5999 because that specimen is found in Wyoming. [17] [18]