New pterosaur fossil from Brazil shows elaborate cranial crest diversity

A new tapejarid pterosaur from the Crato Formation of Brazil has been described with an unusually large and elaborate cranial crest. The fossil preserves soft tissue impressions of the crest, suggesting it was covered by keratin and possibly used for display. The species, representing one of the most complete tapejarid skulls known, adds to the growing evidence that pterosaur cranial crests played a role in sexual selection and species recognition. Researchers note the remarkable diversity of crest shapes among contemporary pterosaurs from the same formation.