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"'Ooh, ah,' that's how it always starts. But then later there's running and screaming."
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Anurognathus ("without tail/frog jaw") was a small rhamphorhynchoid pterosaur from the Late Jurassic Period of southern Germany. It had a wingspan of about 50 cm (20 in). They are insectivores, comparable to the modern frogmouth.
Anurognathus seems to have had a disproportionately large skull for such a small creature, but nevertheless, shows adaptations suited to an insectivorous diet. The teeth are small and sharp, and the head is wider than it is long. The eyes are also large and slightly face forwards allowing for some depth perception through what is termed as binocular vision.
Study of the eyes and the scleral rings that were inside them lead towards a crepuscular lifestyle, meaning that Anurognathus would have been most active in the twilight of the dawn and dusk. While this tiny pterosaur would have been an accomplished hunter of insects, Anurognathus may have also have been hunted itself by larger pterosaurs. By sticking to being active in the twilight, it may have had easy access to prey while avoiding being out at the same time as either diurnal or nocturnal pterosaurs.
Some Paleontologists believe that Anurognathus had a symbiotic relationship with larger animals, like sauropods, and inhabited ecological niche similar to the modern oxpecker, feeding on ectoparasites, particularly ticks, as well as insects infesting wounds and the flesh and blood of some wounds as well.
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Wikipedia has a more detailed and comprehensive article on Anurognathus |
Characteristics[]
The Anurognathus is a small pterosaur. The Jurassic World: Rebirth Anurognathus has an accurate body, but it lacks pycnofibers that it had from in real life, and instead has scaly skin. Their wing membrane yellow in color while the rest of the body is green.
Behavior[]
The Anurognathus is shown coexisting with larger pterosaurs like Quetzalcoatlus in the temple. It has a symbiotic relationship with other herbivores like Titanosaurus, Ankylosaurus, and possibly other more herbivores like Parasaurolophus. An example of symbiosis is the pterosaurs eating parasites or Insects that feed on the blood of herbivorous dinosaurs.
History[]
Jurassic World: Rebirth[]
By 2027, Anurognathus was one of many species present on Ile Saint-Hubert, most likely having been cloned there. They are encountered several times by Zora Bennett's team, being seen flying near the Titanosaurus herd and the Village.
An Anurognathus is most clearly seen by Duncan Kincaid, on the cliff above the Quetzalcoatlus nest. The pterosaur lands, then descends down a hidden stairway.
Games[]
Jurassic Park[]
Anurognathus appeared in the versions for PC and Sega Master System.
Jurassic Park III: Park Builder[]
Anurognathus is number 107 of the Carnivore Ones that can be created in Jurassic Park III: Park Builder. Surprisingly, it can only be kept in the ordinary enclosures used to contain the other dinosaurs, despite its very small size and ability to fly.
Jurassic World: Alive[]
see Anurognathus/JW: A
Anurognathus appears in Jurassic World: Alive as a cunning epic flock pterosaur. The ones in this game look more accurate to their current description as bat-like with hair.
Jurassic World: The Game[]
see Anurognathus/JW: TG
Anurognathus was added into Jurassic World: The Game as a new VIP flock-type pterosaur around December 2nd, 2024. Its model is reused from its previous game.
References[]
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