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Description
Xericeps curvirostris, meaning "curve-nosed dry head", is a species of azhdarchoid pterosaur that has been found in the Albian/Cenomanian beds of the Kem Kem, Morocco. It is currently known from a single broken dentary part of the lower jaw. It is likely to have reached a wingspan of 3-8 metres.

Key features of the Xericeps specimen include paired bony ridges along the inside of the jaw. This is similar to the jaw structures seen in the contemporary Alanqa saharica, which could indicate a close relation between the two pterosaurs.

The other unique feature of this animal is the slight upward curvature of the jaw. This suggests a different feeding style to Alanqa, perhaps reaching under rocks and crevasses to grab hard-shelled prey that the other pterosaurs could not access. Whatever the feeding style, Xericeps is the third pterosaur from the Kem Kem to be described and helps provide more insight into the diversity of this biota.

Well, here it is. The new kid on the block. The pterosaur that was found during my trip to Morocco, and my name is credited on the paper!! Words can't describe how exciting it is that I was a part of finding this, small though it may be. Since there is very little to go on for this animal, I based most of this reconstruction on other azharchids, like Alanqa and Quetzalcoatlus, and the colours are loosely based on an American avocet. Pretty sure I overexaggerated the curve of the jaw, though.

First Xericeps on DeviantArt!!!

Description
Xericeps curvirostris, meaning "curve-nosed dry head", is a species of azhdarchoid pterosaur that has been found in the Albian/Cenomanian beds of the Kem Kem, Morocco. It is currently known from a single broken dentary part of the lower jaw. It is likely to have reached a wingspan of 3-8 metres.

Key features of the Xericeps specimen include paired bony ridges along the inside of the jaw. This is similar to the jaw structures seen in the contemporary Alanqa saharica, which could indicate a close relation between the two pterosaurs.

The other unique feature of this animal is the slight upward curvature of the jaw. This suggests a different feeding style to Alanqa, perhaps reaching under rocks and crevasses to grab hard-shelled prey that the other pterosaurs could not access. Whatever the feeding style, Xericeps is the third pterosaur from the Kem Kem to be described and helps provide more insight into the diversity of this biota.

Well, here it is. The new kid on the block. The pterosaur that was found during my trip to Morocco, and my name is credited on the paper!! Words can't describe how exciting it is that I was a part of finding this, small though it may be. Since there is very little to go on for this animal, I based most of this reconstruction on other azharchids, like Alanqa and Quetzalcoatlus, and the colours are loosely based on an American avocet. Pretty sure I overexaggerated the curve of the jaw, though.

First Xericeps on DeviantArt!!!