What is kungpengopterus?

Kungpengopterus is an extinct genus of pterosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 163 million years ago. It was first discovered in China in 2010 and was named after the Kungpeng village in Xinjiang, where it was found.

Kungpengopterus was a medium-sized pterosaur with a wingspan of around 4 meters (13 feet). It had a long, thin snout, and sharp, pointed teeth that it likely used to catch fish and other small prey. Its wings were supported by a long, slender bone called the fourth finger, which is a characteristic feature of pterosaurs.

One of the most unique features of Kungpengopterus is its jaw muscle attachment. Unlike other pterosaurs, Kungpengopterus had a bony crest on the back of its skull that provided a larger area for muscle attachment. This may have allowed it to produce stronger jaw movements to capture prey.

Overall, Kungpengopterus is an important discovery as it helps to shed light on the diversity of pterosaurs during the Late Jurassic period, and their adaptations to different ecological niches.