Hatzegopteryx

Hatzegopteryx Temporal range: Late Cretaceous, 66 Ma PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N ↓
Left humerus of the holotype specimen in ventral (A) and distal (B) view
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	†Pterosauria
Suborder:	†Pterodactyloidea
Family:	†Azhdarchidae
Genus:	†Hatzegopteryx Buffetaut et al., 2002
Type species
Hatzegopteryx thambena Buffetaut et al., 2002

Hatzegopteryx ("Hațeg basin wing") is a genus of azhdarchid pterosaur found in the end-Maastrichtian deposits of Transylvania, Romania. It is known from only the type species, Hatzegopteryx thambema, named by Buffetaut et al. in 2002 based on parts of the skull and humerus. Additional specimens, including a neck vertebra, were later referred to the genus, representing a range of sizes. The largest of these remains indicate it was among the biggest pterosaurs, with an estimated wingspan of 10–12 metres (33–39 ft).

Unusually among giant azhdarchids, Hatzegopteryx had a very wide skull bearing large muscular attachments; bones with a spongy internal texture instead of hollow; and a short, robust, and heavily muscled neck measuring 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) long, which was about half the length of other azhdarchids with comparable wingspans, and was capable of withstanding strong bending forces. In the absence of theropods, Hatzegopteryx was likely the apex predator of the Cretaceous island ecosystem of Hațeg Island, tackling proportionally larger prey (including dwarf titanosaurs and iguanodontians) than other azhdarchids.

The skull of Hatzegopteryx was giant, with an estimated length of 3 metres (9.8 ft) based on comparisons with Nyctosaurus and Anhanguera, making it one of the largest skulls among non-marine animals. The skull was broadened in the rear, being 0.5 metres (1 ft 8 in) wide across the quadrate bones. While most pterosaur skulls are composed of gracile plates and struts, in Hatzegopteryx the skull bones are stout and robust, with large ridges indicating strong muscular attachments.