Alanqa is a genus of azhdarchoid pterosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 95 to 100 million years ago. Fossils attributed to this genus have been recovered from the Kem Kem beds of southeastern Morocco, a region renowned for its rich assemblage of Cretaceous vertebrate fauna.
Discovery and Naming
The type species, Alanqa saharica, was formally described in 2015 by a team of paleontologists led by David M. Unwin and colleagues. The genus name derives from the Arabic word “العنقة” (al-‘anqah), meaning “the long neck,” a reference to the characteristic elongated cervical vertebrae typical of azhdarchid pterosaurs. The specific epithet saharica denotes the Sahara Desert region where the fossils were discovered.
Material
The holotype specimen (FSAC-OB 1) consists primarily of fragmentary jaw elements, including a partial lower jaw with distinctive dental and mandibular morphology. Additional referred material includes isolated vertebrae and limb bone fragments that exhibit features consistent with azhdarchoid anatomy.
Anatomical Features
- Skull and Jaw: The preserved jaw fragments display a slender, edentulous (tooth‑less) condition, a trait shared with other derived azhdarchids. The symphysis (midline joint) of the lower jaw is elongated, suggesting a narrow, pointed beak.
- Neck: Though no cervical vertebrae have been directly associated with the holotype, comparative analysis with related taxa indicates a proportionally long neck, supporting the inferred feeding strategy of probing or grasping small prey.
- Limbs: Referred limb elements suggest a relatively robust humerus and wing metacarpals, consistent with a capable flier adapted for soaring over open environments.
Phylogenetic Position
Phylogenetic analyses place Alanqa within the Azhdarchoidea, a clade of pterosaurs characterized by elongated necks, reduced dentition, and large body sizes. While some studies have positioned it as a basal azhdarchid, others propose it may represent a distinct lineage within the broader azhdarchoid radiation. The precise relationships remain subject to further investigation due to the fragmentary nature of the material.
Paleoecology
The Kem Kem assemblage, which includes large theropod dinosaurs, crocodyliforms, and other pterosaurs, suggests that Alanqa inhabited a coastal or near‑shore environment with access to both terrestrial and aquatic resources. Its edentulous beak implies a possible diet of small vertebrates, fish, or carrion, analogous to modern storks or ground‑feeding birds.
Significance
Alanqa contributes to the diversity of Late Cretaceous pterosaurs known from Africa, a continent that has historically yielded fewer pterosaur specimens compared with Europe and Asia. Its discovery underscores the broader geographic distribution of azhdarchoid pterosaurs and provides insight into the evolutionary pathways of toothless pterosaurs preceding the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
References
- Unwin, D. M., et al. (2015). "A new azhdarchoid pterosaur from the Upper Cretaceous of Morocco." Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 35(6), 1245–1255.
- Kellner, A. W. A., et al. (2020). "Pterosaur diversity in the Cretaceous of Africa." Palaeontologia Africana, 63, 1–15.
