Named By: | Nesov in 1984 |
Time Period: | Late Cretaceous, 92 Ma |
Location: | Uzbekistan - Bissekty Formation |
Size: | Uncertain |
Diet: | unavailable |
Fossil(s): | Several sets of partial remains |
Classification: | | Chordata | Reptilia | Pterosauria | Pterodactyloidea | Azhdarchidae | Azhdarchinae | |
Azhdarcho is a genus of pterodactyloid pterosaur from the late Cretaceous Period of the Bissekty Formation (middle Turonian stage, about 92 million years ago) of Uzbekistan. It is known from fragmentary remains including the distinctive, elongated neck vertebrae that characterizes members of the family Azhdarchidae, which also includes such giant pterosaurs as Quetzalcoatlus. The name Azhdarcho comes from the Persian word azhdar (jdr), a dragon-like creature in Persian mythology. The type species is Azhdarcho lancicollis. The specific epithet lancicollis is derived from the Latin words lancea (meaning "lance" or "spear") and collum ("neck").