Thalassodromidae
| Thalassodromids Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| Replica skeleton of Tupuxuara leonardii | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Order: | †Pterosauria |
| Suborder: | †Pterodactyloidea |
| Clade: | †Azhdarchoidea |
| Family: | †Thalassodromidae Witton, 2009 |
| Type species | |
| †Thalassodromeus sethi Kellner & Campos, 2002 | |
| Genera | |
| Synonyms | |
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Thalassodromidae (meaning "sea runners") is a group of azhdarchoid pterosaurs from the Early Cretaceous (Albian) of Brazil. All known definitive members come from the Romualdo Formation of Brazil, which include the type genus Thalassodromeus, as well as Tupuxuara and Kariridraco. Proposals of additional thalassodromid genera from the Late Cretaceous are controversial and have not been supported.
The classification of Thalassodromidae is quite controversial and disputed. It was initially denominated Thalassodrominae, as a subfamily within the group Tapejaridae. However, opposing studies regarding its placement have argued that its members were more closely related to azhdarchids and dsungaripterids, while also elevating it to family level. Though the relationship with tapejarids remains supported by many studies, it has been proposed that it is preferable to retain them as a distinct family for consistency of communication.