Pneumatization of an immature azhdarchoid pterosaur

The partial skeleton of an immature azhdarchoid pterosaur from the Santana Formation (Early Cretaceous) of NE Brazil is described, where breaks across several of the three dimensionally preserved postcranial elements have permitted the thickness of the cortex to be accurately measured. Air-space proportions (ASP) are shown to be comparable to those observed in sauropod dinosaurs. The pterosaurian pneumatic system, prevalent throughout these animals, is shown to be well developed in even non-adult animals and is inferred to have penetrated into even the smallest of bones. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.