Project 4327: D. Foffa, E. M. Dunne, S. J. Nesbitt, R. J. Butler, N. C. Fraser, S. L. Brusatte, A. Farnsworth, D. J. Lunt, P. J. Valdes, S. Walsh, P. M. Barrett. 2022. Scleromochlus and the early evolution of Pterosauromorpha. Nature. 610 (7931):313-318.
Specimen: † Scleromochlus taylori Woodward, 1907
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Abstract

Pterosaurs, the first vertebrates to evolve powered flight, were key components of Mesozoic terrestrial ecosystems, from their sudden appearance in the Late Triassic until their demise at the end of the Cretaceous1–6. However, the origin and early evolution of pterosaurs are poorly understood, due to a substantial stratigraphic and morphological gap between these reptiles and their closest relatives6, Lagerpetidae7. Scleromochlus taylori, a tiny reptile from the early Late Triassic of Scotland discovered over a century ago, was hypothesized to be a key taxon closely related to pterosaurs8, but its poor preservation has limited prior studies and resulted in controversy over its phylogenetic position, with some even doubting its identification as an archosaur9. Here we use micro-computed tomographic scans to provide the first accurate whole skeleton reconstruction and a revised diagnosis of Scleromochlus, revealing new anatomical details that conclusively identify it as a close pterosaur relative1 within Pterosauromorpha (the lagerpetid + pterosaur clade). Scleromochlus is anatomically more similar to lagerpetids than to pterosaurs and retains numerous features that were likely present in very early diverging members of Avemetatarsalia (bird-line archosaurs). These results support the hypothesis that the first flying reptiles evolved from tiny, likely facultatively bipedal, cursorial ancestors1.


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Article DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05284-x

Project DOI: 10.7934/P4327, http://dx.doi.org/10.7934/P4327
This project containsMatrices
  • 1 Media
  • 1 Matrix
  • 6 Documents
  • 198 Taxa
  • 1 Specimen
  • 823 Characters
Total size of project's media files: 453.12k

Download Project SDD File
Total scored cells: 68622
Total media associated with cells: 0
Total labels associated with cell media: 0
Characters
Total characters: 823
Total characters with associated media: 0
Total characters with media with labels: 0
Total character states: 1910
Total character states with associated media: 0
Total character states with media with labels:0
Total unordered/ordered characters:716/107
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MorphoBank Project 4327

    Authors' Institutions

    • Natural History Museum, London

    • National Museums of Scotland, Royal Museum, Edinburgh

    • Chinese Academy of Sciences

    • University of Birmingham

    • University of Edinburgh

    • Virginia Tech (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University)

    • University of Bristol

    • Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg

    • Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research



    Members

    member name taxa specimens media chars character
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    (scored, NPA, "-")
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    Davide Foffa
    Project Administrator
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    Taxonomic Overview for Matrix 'M29034' (197 Taxa)

    taxon unscored
    cells
    scored
    cells
    no cell
    support
    NPA
    cells
    "-" cellscell images labels on
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    [1] † Petrolacosaurus kansensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    105621603099001
    [2] † Acerosodontosaurus piveteaui
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    531231224062001
    [3] † Youngina capensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    101638591089001
    [4] † Paliguana whitei
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    692103101028001
    [5] † Planocephalosaurus robinsonae
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    269462449094001
    [6] † Gephyrosaurus bridensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    251498469079001
    [7] † Cteniogenys sp
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    459313306056001
    [8] † Simoedosaurus lemoinei
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    185560554083001
    [9] † Aenigmastropheus parringtoni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    778454301001
    [10] † Protorosaurus speneri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    223536487078001
    [11] † Dinocephalosaurus orientalis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    403327323097001
    [12] † Amotosaurus rotfeldensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    424345337060001
    [13] † Macrocnemus bassanii
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    269478445081001
    [14] † Macrocnemus obristi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7297675019001
    [15] † Macrocnemus fuyuanensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    345407399079001
    [16] † Fuyuansaurus acutirostris
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    663137133026001
    [17] † Pectodens zhenyuensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    506256247070001
    [18] † Augustaburiania vatagini
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    737797907001
    [19] † Protanystropheus antiquus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    802222001001
    [20] † Trachelosaurus fischeri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7289180015001
    [21] † Tanystropheus longobardicus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    1066285700106001
    [22] † Tanystropheus haasi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    812101001001
    [23] † Langobadisaurus pandolfii
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    475294280067001
    [24] † Tanytrachelos ahynis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    451331310062001
    [25] † Jesairosaurus lehmani
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    410346329078001
    [26] † Pamelaria dolichotrachela
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    198568563062001
    [27] † Azendohsaurus madagaskarensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    87670659072001
    [28] † Azendohsaurus laaroussi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7456867011001
    [29] † Shringasaurus indicus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    376402394053001
    [30] † Malerisaurus robinsonae
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    488312300035001
    [31] † Trilophosaurus buettneri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    103634600092001
    [32] † Spinosuchus caseanus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    418342338067001
    [33] † Teraterpeton hrynewichorum
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    378372368077001
    [34] † Arctosaurus osborni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    809131301001
    [35] † Noteosuchus colletti
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    604202190020001
    [36] † Mesosuchus browni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    80668635079001
    [37] † Howesia browni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    396390363043001
    [38] † Eohyosaurus wolvaardti
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    645163156021001
    [39] † Rhynchosaurus articeps
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    210536521081001
    [40] † Bentonyx sidensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    531237236056001
    [41] † Mesodapedon kuttyi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7753838010001
    [42] † Ammorhynchus navajoi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7524847024001
    [43] † Stenaulorhynchus stockleyi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    145599597081001
    [44] † Brasinorhynchus mariantensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    487286283053001
    [45] † Chanares rhynchosaur
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7664946011001
    [46] † Langeronyx brodiei
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    635145144044001
    [47] † Fodonyx spenceri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    662140140021001
    [48] † Isalorhynchus genovefae
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    231523519071001
    [49] † Hyperodapedon gordoni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    123611606094001
    [50] † Hyperodapedon huxleyi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    120611609094001
    [51] † Teyumbaita sulcognathus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    246497494083001
    [52] † Eorasaurus olsoni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    794292602001
    [53] † Prolacertoides jimusarensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7197472031001
    [54] † Prolacerta broomi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    38725679073001
    [55] † K australiensis combined
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    691105100032001
    [56] † Boreopricea funerea
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    455325300050001
    [57] † Teyujagua paradoxa
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    508262260055001
    [58] † Antarctanax shackletoni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    751676206001
    [59] † Archosaurus rossicus holotype
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    801212101001
    [60] † Archosaurus complete
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7221039902001
    [61] † Proterosuchus fergusi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    177622607037001
    [62] † Proterosuchus goweri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    529282278016001
    [63] † Proterosuchus alexanderi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    256528524042001
    [64] † Chasmatosaurus yuani
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    192594580050001
    [65] † Panchet proterosuchid
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    636183173014001
    [66] † Tasmaniosaurus triassicus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    690126119014001
    [67] † Vonhuenia fredericki
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    799212103001
    [68] † C rossicus combined
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    775464503001
    [69] † C magnus combined
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    793292802001
    [70] † Chasmatosuchus vjushkovi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    796282601001
    [71] † Koilamasuchus gonzalezdiazi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    790322904001
    [72] † Kalisuchus rewanensis holotype
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7684843012001
    [73] † NMQR 3570
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7773535011001
    [74] † Fugusuchus hejiapanensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    580224221021001
    [75] † Sarmatosuchus otschevi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    557264256010001
    [76] † Guchengosuchus shiguaiensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    599206198026001
    [77] † Cuyosuchus huenei
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    613208198012001
    [78] † Garjainia prima
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    155633627040001
    [79] † Garjainia madiba combined
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    433381362022001
    [80] † Erythrosuchus africanus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    95685672048001
    [81] † Shansisuchus shansisuchus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    219566558045001
    [82] † Shansisuchus kuyeheensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7239488012001
    [83] † Chalishevia cothurnata
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    707108105011001
    [84] † Youngosuchus sinensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    446363356021001
    [85] † Uralosaurus combined
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    783343307001
    [86] † Vancleavea campi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    265491486070001
    [87] † Litorosuchus somnii
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    343454448032001
    [88] † Asperoris mnyama
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    698117102017001
    [89] † Euparkeria capensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    48753741034001
    [90] † Dorosuchus neoetus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    69812212203001
    [91] † Halazhaisuchus qiaoensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    719969509001
    [92] † Osmolskina czatkoviensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    792242407001
    [93] † Osmolskina complete
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    335470460028001
    [94] † Yarasuchus deccanensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    590223219013001
    [95] † Dongusuchus efremovi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    781404002001
    [96] † Teleocrater rhadinus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    486319318019001
    [97] † Spondylosoma absconditum
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    737838204001
    [98] † Proterochampsa barrionuevoi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    271506497055001
    [99] † Proterochampsa nodosa
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    570234228020001
    [100] † Tropidosuchus romeri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    178613598040001
    [101] † Cerritosaurus binsfeldi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    568235230025001
    [102] † Gualosuchus reigi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    262523514045001
    [103] † Chanaresuchus bonapartei
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    98687672049001
    [104] † Pseudochampsa ischigualastensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    354439433036001
    [105] † Rhadinosuchus gracilis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    689128121013001
    [106] † Archeopelta arborensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    70611311304001
    [107] † Tarjadia ruthae
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    299498494030001
    [108] † Pagosvenator candelariensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    64517617503001
    [109] † Erpetosuchus granti
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    450348344027001
    [110] † Erpetosuchus sp
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7189994011001
    [111] † Dyoplax arenaceus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    763595703001
    [112] † Jaxtasuchus salomoni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    596216208019001
    [113] † Doswellia kaltenbachi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    407368362054001
    [114] † Triopticus primus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7181029307001
    [115] † Parasuchus angustifrons
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    542251248033001
    [116] † Parasuchus hislopi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    112678669040001
    [117] † Nicrosaurus kapffi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    271513505046001
    [118] † Smilosuchus spp.
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    139638624054001
    [119] † Diandongosuchus fuyuanensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    347453451025001
    [120] † Wannia scurriensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    613185173032001
    [121] † Ebrachosuchus neukami
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    505286282035001
    [122] † Paleorhinus sawini
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    542256252029001
    [123] † Angistorhinus talainti
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    473316313037001
    [124] † Mystriosuchus planirostris
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    327474455041001
    [125] † Machaeroprosopus pristinus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    347447428048001
    [126] † Redondasaurus spp
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    473323311039001
    [127] † Ornithosuchus woodwardi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    258534527034001
    [128] † Riojasuchus tenuisceps
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    132656644041001
    [129] † Venaticosuchus rusconii
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    625182179019001
    [130] † Dynamosuchus collisensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    54128227903001
    [131] † Nundasuchus songeaensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    528287282013001
    [132] † Turfanosuchus dabanensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    263537530028001
    [133] † Gracilisuchus stipanicicorum
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    156639627040001
    [134] † Yonghesuchus sangbiensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    611195192020001
    [135] † Parringtonia gracilis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    340461455028001
    [136] † Otter sandstone archosaur
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    772544803001
    [137] † Aetosauroides scagliai
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    264539529029001
    [138] † Aetosaurus ferratus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    219570565039001
    [139] † Stagonolepis robertsoni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    96686686041001
    [140] † Ticinosuchus ferox
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    489318311022001
    [141] † Prestosuchus nyassicus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    65616515908001
    [142] † Dagasuchus santacruzensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    792292902001
    [143] † Qianosuchus mixtus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    321472470032001
    [144] † Arizonasaurus babbitti
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    375414409039001
    [145] † Lotosaurus adentus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    317432426080001
    [146] † Ctenosauriscus koeneni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7733434016001
    [147] † Hypselorhachis mirabilis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    796262502001
    [148] † Waldhaus poposauroid
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    789343301001
    [149] † Vytshegdosuchus zbeshartensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    8139901001
    [150] † Bystrowisuchus flerovi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    805191602001
    [151] † Bromsgroveia walkeri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    782404001001
    [152] † Xilousuchus sapingensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    580225224018001
    [153] † Moenkopi poposauroid
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    777444006001
    [154] † Mandasuchus tanyauchen
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    527283278018001
    [155] † Luperosuchus fractus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    69912312103001
    [156] † Decuriasuchus quartacolonia
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    383413408032001
    [157] † Batrachotomus kupferzellensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    168626617034001
    [158] † Prestosuchus chiniquensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    90703698035001
    [159] † Austriadraco dallavecchiai
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    640184171012001
    [160] † Preondactylus buffarinii
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    570215212041001
    [161] † Austriadactylus cristatus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    591206202030001
    [162] † Seazzadactylus venieri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    558229217045001
    [163] † Raeticodactylus filisurensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    576226218029001
    [164] † Carniadactylus rosenfeldi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    481283277065001
    [165] † Peteinosaurus zambellii
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    582210204037001
    [166] † Caelestiventus hanseni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    644147143036001
    [167] † Dimorphodon macronyx
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    353407403067001
    [168] † Eudimorphodon ranzii
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    487298295041001
    [169] † Rhamphorhynchus muensteri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    1685385310124001
    [170] † Cacibupteryx caribensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    657141139027001
    [171] † Allkaruen koi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    690123121012001
    [172] † Lagerpeton chanarensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    533259256034001
    [173] † Ixalerpeton polesinensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    451344338034001
    [174] † Kongonaphon kely
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    7417470012001
    [175] † PVSJ 883
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    8139901001
    [176] † Dromomeron romeri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    651151143029001
    [177] † Dromomeron gregorii
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    68413513504001
    [178] † Dromomeron gigas
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    787313105001
    [179] † Lagosuchus talampayensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    409386379035001
    [180] † Lutungutali sitwensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    786393403001
    [181] † Asilisaurus kongwe
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    312484476035001
    [182] † Nyasasaurus parringtoni
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    772494803001
    [183] † Lewisuchus admixtus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    277525517029001
    [184] † Silesaurus opolensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    175612603045001
    [185] † Heterodontosaurus tucki
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    88654645083001
    [186] † Lesothosaurus diagnosticus
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    99656646075001
    [187] † Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    72706691056001
    [188] † Eoraptor lunensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    164617612046001
    [189] † Buriolestes schultzi
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    106666661056001
    [190] † Saturnalia tupiniquim
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    305476469049001
    [191] † Tawa hallae
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    211554552058001
    [192] † Coelophysis bauri
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    63695688071001
    [193] † Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    84673667072001
    [194] † Scleromochlus taylori i
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    466326314043001
    [195] † Scleromochlus taylori ii
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    466334322035001
    [196] † Scleromochlus taylori iii
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    463338326034001
    [197] † Scleromochlus taylori noankle
    Taxon name last Modified on 10/26/22
    480321309034001


    Project downloads

    type number of downloads Individual items downloaded (where applicable)
    Total downloads from project79
    Document downloads18SI Dataset 2. (5 downloads); SI Dataset 1 (4 downloads); SI Dataset 3 (4 downloads); SI Dataset 4 (3 downloads); SI Dataset 5 (1 download); SI Dataset 6 (1 download);
    Project downloads24
    Media downloads1M847705 (1 download);
    Matrix downloads36dataset1_Parsimony_TNT_Foffaetal_2022 (36 downloads);