ANNOUNCEMENT OF
RARE PTEROSAUR DISCOVERY

Nyctosaurus

Cretaceous (83-85 m.y.o.)
Niobrara Formation/Smoky Hill Chalk
Gove County, Kansas, USA


In August 2005, a team of explorers from PaleoSearch, Inc., discovered small fragments of a pterosaur while walking along the banks of a Cretaceous outcropping. Continued searching for the source of these fragments led them to some pterosaur remains weathering out on the edge of a small plateau at the highest point overlooking a large Niobrara canyon. Further examination revealed the distal end of one of the wing bones (humerus) and part of the sternum. They continued to uncover the remains, eventually revealing a substantial portion of a rare Nyctosaurus skeleton. Several weeks later, the skeleton was excavated and final preparation was completed in September 2005.


The genus Nyctosaurus is extremely rare in the Smoky Hill chalk, representing only 3% of all known pterosaur remains in this Formation. The genus Pteranodon composes the remaining discoveries (97%). Less than 40 recorded Nyctosaurus specimens have been discovered and most are represented by just a few wing bones. Only a handful of relatively complete Nyctosaurus skeletons have been recorded. Therefore, we are restricting the purchase of this new discovery to an institution that will be a permanent repository for the specimen, or to an individual willing to donate the specimen to such an institution.


Bone List:
(See Skeletal layout and bone identification sheet)
Complete lower jaw 24 cm.
Frontal (Cranium) 55 mm. x 40 mm.
Prefrontals 44 mm.
Radius 13.6 cm.
Humerus 70 mm. x 40 mm.
Humerus 55 mm. x 48 mm.
Wing carpals (6) 12 mm.
Vertebrae Avg. 25 mm.
Metacarpal (2) 23 cm.
Wing tendon 35 mm.
Phalanx I 21 cm.
Radius 13.6 cm.
Ulna 13 cm.
Scapula-coracoid (2) 9.5 cm.
Pteroid (2) 33 mm., 30 mm.
Partial sternum 35 mm. x 15 mm.


Complete location data, GPS coordinates, and marker unit within the Niobrara Formation, will be supplied to the final purchaser. Private landowner permission documentation is also available. Skeleton has been prepared as discovered and is embedded in its original matrix, secured by a plaster jacket. No colorization or restoration has been applied to the skeleton.

Stock #3697

Price upon request
Call 785-625-2240