Yelaphomte

Yelaphomte is one of the only known Triassic pterosaurs from the southern hemisphere, along with its relative Pachagnathus.12

Its snout was full of air spaces, making it lightweight for flying. The name Yelaphomte means 'beast of the air' in the language of the Huarpe people.1

The only known fossil is a piece of the snout only 15.4 mm long, including parts of the upper jaw and palate.1

Yelaphomte lived far from the sea, in a dry inland environment, unlike many other early pterosaurs that lived near coasts.1

The crest on its snout had a unique pattern of grooves that is not seen in any other pterosaur.1

Scientists think Yelaphomte may have been a small adult, because the bones in its snout were tightly fused together, which often happens when an animal is fully grown.1