rdfs:comment
| - Ctenochasma is distinguished mainly by its numerous (over 400 in adults) long, thin, curved and closely packed teeth, which lined its elongated and narrow snout. The teeth were so closely packed that they formed a comb, and in adults they projected outward away from the jaws, forming a basket, which was probably used in a filter feeding lifestyle, straining water through the teeth in order to capture and eat small invertebrates. The snout curved slightly upward and was rounded at the tip, and the teeth were restricted to the front half of the jaws.[1]
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abstract
| - Ctenochasma is distinguished mainly by its numerous (over 400 in adults) long, thin, curved and closely packed teeth, which lined its elongated and narrow snout. The teeth were so closely packed that they formed a comb, and in adults they projected outward away from the jaws, forming a basket, which was probably used in a filter feeding lifestyle, straining water through the teeth in order to capture and eat small invertebrates. The snout curved slightly upward and was rounded at the tip, and the teeth were restricted to the front half of the jaws.[1] The smallest species, Ctenochasma elegans, had a wingspan of only about 25 cm. Ctenochasma is distinguished by its mouth which contained as many as 260 long, thin comb-like teeth. Adult Ctenochasma had a bony crest along the skull, though this is not found in juveniles.[2] Comparisons between the scleral rings of both Ctenochasma elegans and Ctenochasma taqueti and modern birds and reptiles suggest that these taxa may have been nocturnal, and may have had activity patterns similar to modern nocturnal seabirds. This may also indicate niche partitioning with contemporary pterosaurs inferred to be diurnal, such as Pterodactylus and Scaphognathus.
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